Texas instruments is not the leading edge company that it used to be several years ago.
Main business has become analogue with other areas being cut or closed.
SW is consider secondary and SW engineers are really not paid at the same level as SW eng. in SW companies.
TI much or less has re-orgs and layoffs every year (sometimes twice a year), more so since Rich Templeton became CEO (this is the only area he excels at)
My advice/survival guide for those SW eng. planning to join TI (assuming TI is your only option) is:
1. Become buddies with decision makers, this will come handy when layoffs come your way
2. Be political, don't rock the boa (specially if you are right) as you will be the first one in the layoff list
2. Don't kill yourself at work, due enough to get the job done and more importantly stand out as the problem solver even if you created the problem
4. Layoffs are inevitable, just be prepare and you will be OK if you master 1 and 2 above
5. Stay long enough to get good experience and then find a company where you can build a career (TI is not the place for SW eng.), advice is to stay 2-3 years then find something better
Dallas has very few high tech companies, hence it will be hard to find something else after layoffs.
I agree with others that TI facilities are "ghetto", where cubes are 20+ years and forget about free coffee or any other common perks available from companies making as much or less money than TI.
