Microsoft Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) I reviews

3.8

98% would recommend to a friend

(717 total reviews)
avatar

Satya Nadella

90% approve of CEO

86% positive business outlook

Software Development Engineer In Test SDET I employees have rated Microsoft with 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 717 company reviews on Glassdoor. This indicates that most Software Development Engineer In Test SDET I professionals have a good working experience there. Microsoft is rated in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) by Software Development Engineer In Test SDET I professionals compared to other employers within the Tecnologías de la información industry (3.9 stars).

Reviews by job title

717 reviews
5.0
May 7, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There just is not other company like this in the world. You have the ability to do truly global, groundbreaking development work that will be deployed by thousands or millions of customers and make their daily life better or different. Also, the internal atmosphere in Microsoft Redmond is just incredible. You have the best of the best working with you, the atmosphere is relaxed, you do things and influence people based on what you know (not your title or who you know), information is shared liberally and you are part of an incredible team. However, there is no bitter fighting or competition amongst the peers, so I don't know what else to ask for. The environment is also very international and diverse, so you get to see how people around the world think. Very productive environment where you are pushed to do your very best and rewarded for it accordingly.

Cons

Opportunities for remote work are slim for SDEs and SDETs. Almost all of the product development happens in Redmond and if you can't live there, you're out of it (if you want to know why I no longer work at MS, this is the reason: I had to move out of the country for family reasons and did not find a way to continue my work with product teams and did not want to go back to the field). Also, you need to be a person that can manage your own time -- if you don't, you will get exhausted and be overworked. However, if you can manage that, you will be fine with 40-45 hour weeks in reasonable pressure. From what I have heard, teams can vary very much and (like in any large org) if you land under a poor manager, you are in trouble. Also, the MS field organization is a very different place and anything I say here does not apply for any of the subsidiaries (had some bad experience there)

5.0
May 1, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Microsoft is a great place to work because it gives you not only the opportunity to influence the team your working in no matter what the position, but also gives you the ability to get as involved as you want to be with other areas of the company, allowing you to influence the development and direction of products which you, your family and friends may use unrelated to your actual day to day job. You also get to play with lots of cool new apps and devices through internal beta programs. The best part though is your surrounded by geniuses

Cons

Microsoft attracts a large amount of very, very driven and focused people who work very hard, you will have to work very hard to meet the curve that is needed to see good bonuses and fast promotion. Working in a remote office for Microsoft can also be a downsize. Redmond is the beating heart of Microsoft and this can sometimes show through lesser facilities at remote offices. Politics as with any large company can slow progress on projects which can be frustraiting at times. Your ability to speak freely without bias around Microsoft products and services can also a downside.

5.0
Apr 27, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great growth opportunities, the greatest software company overall, great pay and benefits, great choice of things to do at work, working on world class software, working from home is not a problem, flexible hours have the positive meaning... Even if you decide to leave the company - this is great for your resume. You learn a lot at Microsoft with the challanges of satisfying millions if not billions of users with your work every day. You work with some of the greatest engineers in the world, with people who are smart and friendly. Then there's free drinks, Starbucks and pizza almost every day, sports club membership and many social events! :)

Cons

Working far from home is a must if you were not born in Seattle and want to develop the biggest products. Many customers do not like Microsoft, so you have to explain to people you are not working for an Evil Empire. It rains a lot in Redmond too! Advancing the career might be slower than in startups because of great competition, but it is almost guaranteed as opposed to startups, which often fail. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in such a big place. Sometimes you might feel like a little cogwheel in a huge machine, although everyone is important and you can always try to grow and become a big one too!

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