Microsoft Sr. Software Engineer reviews

3.9

71% would recommend to a friend

(1,762 total reviews)
avatar

Satya Nadella

75% approve of CEO

68% positive business outlook

Sr. Software Engineer employees have rated Microsoft with 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 1,762 company reviews on Glassdoor. This indicates that most Sr. Software Engineer professionals have a good working experience there. Microsoft is rated in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) by Sr. Software Engineer professionals compared to other employers within the Tecnologías de la información industry (3.9 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
4.0
Nov 24, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Microsoft has the best health benefits on the planet. In the 10+ years I was a blue badge, I think I only saw 1 medical bill that wasn't 100% covered by Microsoft's plan. In fact, Microsoft probably has the best benefits package in the industry outside of Google (comprehensive medical / dental / vision / prescription drug plans, paternity & maternity leave, 5 weeks of vacation / year after 12+ years of service, company store, company library, Prime card, Pro Club / gym membership, Connector bus / metro pass, free beverages, and many other benefits). Also, despite it's size, Microsoft is a fairly agile company. The decisions that senior management makes usually are rational. And there are very few companies that as much state of the art technology as Microsoft does.

Cons

Unfortunately, Microsoft is a really big company and the corporate bureaucracy is most acutely felt during review time. Review goals are often made irrelevant by changing requirements during the course of the year and the review process is lumbering and is often times burdensome. Your career advancement & opportunities are often determined more the by subjective opinions of ill informed managers, than by merit & objective facts. If you have a good relationship w/ a good manager, you'll probably go far in your career. If you have mediocre manager or one that you have a strained relationship with, you should switch groups or leave the company, ASAP. It's easier to advance your career outside of Microsoft than inside of it. The stock based compensation (options, grants & ESPP) isn't anywhere near what it was during the 1990s and the base salary hasn't made up the difference.

4.0
Sep 21, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

At Microsoft you get the chance to work with very smart and talented software engineers and the benefits are great. It is possible to have a great career at Microsoft if you are a super start, know how to network with managers or are simply lucky. Salary is pretty competitive, although the stock awards are not that great since Microsoft stock price has been flat for the last 10 years.

Cons

Too much politics and too many bad managers. In my group my feeling is that we could be a lot more productive with less people, there are too may PMs that do not seem to contribute much.

2.0
Aug 11, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice benefits package. You can work average if you expect average payment. If you can find the "right group", if such exists, you can grow in the company.

Cons

Too political place. Everything has to make everybody happy, which makes things not work after all. Usually you get stuck with lousy explanations on why you can't get a raise, a promotion or bonus. Most of the time the managers are "with their hands tied" to get you the rewards.

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