On the way down - Software Engineer Confluent Employee Review

2.0
1 May 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You can work with talented engineers and learn a substantial amount, especially if you're interested in distributed systems. Pay is decent for a company of its size. Remote work offers opportunities to travel.

Cons

Innovation doesn't go further than striving to fall short of Amazon without company operations blowing up. Earlier, I mentioned there are learning opportunities if you're interested in distributed systems, but those chances are limited by brain-dead operations work. Politics - Get on the wrong side of certain people, and you're pretty much cooked. Say goodbye to promotion prospects and hope your LeetCode skills haven't gotten too rusty. Mid-level management is comprised of brain-dead spreadsheet fillers who are paid a quarter million dollars. If AI is advancing to replace developers, let's replace them one time. Be prepared to handle almost any problem, even if you have never interacted with a particular part of the system or the product, in highly stressful situations. How many times are you willing to sacrifice your weekend for at best a "kudos" email from your co-worker, but in most cases, it's to make sure you're not fired for "lack of ownership". The benefits, in comparison to other companies, are lackluster. Constant shift in priorities The team you work on determines whether you work 20-hour weeks or 80-hour weeks. Stock is in flux, and now fewer people are invested in the product than before.

Explore other reviews about Confluent

5.0
25 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Eng heavy culture Great benefits

Cons

IBM acquisition could change culture

4.0
10 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great product, strong leadership, and talented people across the organization. Excellent place to learn enterprise SaaS sales and grow quickly as an SDR. Supportive team culture, good training, and a fast-paced environment with many opportunities to work with large global accounts. Strong compensation and career development opportunities for high performers.

Cons

Since the IBM acquisition, there has been uncertainty around the future structure and career path for SDRs. Communication could be more transparent regarding organizational changes, promotion opportunities, and long-term strategy for the SDR organization.

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