There is some hope at last - Engineering Manager Symbotic Employee Review

4.0
21 Jan 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Promising technology, depth and breadth of engineering talent, even while significatly depleted recently, existing and potential customers ready to spend billions on Symbotic systems if things will work right. The recent assumption of the CEO role by the owner (so I've heard) shows that he really cares about the company. This is not a solution by itself, but a prerequisite for a positive change.

Cons

I've been at Symbotic for more than three years and left in 2017 when it seemed there is hardly any hope left. I've seen the previous leadership transition from Tony Affuso to Chris Gahagan. While Affuso wasn't a technology leader, he was respectful of talent and knew how to manage people. Gahagan's reign began with some promise, but after a few months turned into the most toxic and disrespectful environment I've seen in my career. Upper management (mostly Gahagan's cronies) has been the biggest problem for Symbotic in the last couple of years. They have no vision beyond slave-driving employees (who end up running away), blaming others for their own mistakes, and devising endless plans and "initiatives" that have very little relation to reality. I pity the next company that will hire Chris Gahagan for any kind of management role. As for Symbotic, if it could overcome his toxic legacy, it could be on the right path and fulfill at least some of its potential.

Explore other reviews about Symbotic

5.0
27 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

• Cutting-edge A.I.-powered robotics — you work on technology that's actually transforming the supply chain • Brilliant colleagues across engineering, robotics, controls, and software • Real ownership from day one — step up and you'll be recognized • Direct customer impact — your work runs in live operations for the world's largest retailers • Fast growth means real career opportunities

Cons

• Pace is intense — tight deadlines and demanding periods come with the territory • Steep learning curve early on due to system complexity • Processes are still maturing as the company scales rapidly

2.0
1 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting technology and exposure to advanced automation systems. Opportunity to work on complex engineering projects.

Cons

Poor work-life balance with high expectations and little flexibility. Communication from leadership and the general manager was very limited, making it difficult to stay aligned. There was also a lack of transparency around performance expectations and job security. Even when performing well and fully understanding the environment and workflows, employees could be let go without warning or a second chance. This creates unnecessary turnover and results in lost knowledge, requiring time and resources to retrain new engineers who are unfamiliar with the systems.

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