Just Awful - Senior Software Engineer Vanguard Employee Review

1.0
23 Mar 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

If you want to fly under the radar and get paid to do absolutely nothing as a software engineer, this place is great. Promotions are based entirely on tenure so you will not only not get fired but you'll be promoted!

Cons

You'll have to deal with things like: - A tech lead (80% IC role) that hasn't checked in code in 14 months. - A manager who has no clue what the pay bands are or who you even are. - Getting told you have to go into an office where not a single person from your team works because "working face to face is important". - Getting told you can't be promoted unless it's year-end AND you've been in your current role at least 18 months. If you get under-leveled you're stuck for 2 years. - Coworkers who turn 4 hours tasks into a 4 week ordeal. - Getting told to stop "pulling in work and start pushing other people's work" when you actually get things done in a timely manner. - Having 20-30% of your comp locked up in bonuses + long-vesting 401k and that being treated like it's done as a favor to you. Spoiler: it'll take you at least 18 months to see your full comp and you'll lose at least 10% of your comp the year you leave because they hold one of your year-end bonuses til June. - They do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible (just look up Sommer v. Vanguard Group)

Explore other reviews about Vanguard

5.0
3 July 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Large firm so great to get exposure to different groups.

Cons

Nothing that comes to mind, great place to start and end career.

3.0
3 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Awesome coworkers for young professionals. Paid licensing for a few months.

Cons

Micromanagement is out of control. Incompetent team leaders who are obsessed with power and metrics. Back to back calls, limited support, and nearly impossible effective communication between departments. Zero time to cultivate culture because you are taking calls every second of the day except for 30min/1hr lunch and two 15 minute breaks. You’re locked into your role for over a year (apprenticeship for around 60 days, then a year after promotion to associate) and your team leaders will not approve internal applications unless you are “eligible”.

4
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