Airbnb

• Visually appealing office
• Good salary and benefits
• Free food
• Company has a good external reputation, solid growth potential

More of a hospitality company than a tech company. Engineering isn't a core part of the culture, and it shows in the quality and visibility of the team's work.

Systems receive low traffic levels (compared to those in search, ads, social networking, etc.), so there is little need to improve efficiency or innovate in the backend space.

Weak engineering leadership that won't make hard technical decisions or push through cross-team initiatives like SOA.

Senior IC promotions and external hires are based more on visibility than technical skill and impact.

There is a steady stream of departures by strong engineers and managers.

Culture of niceness and praise to the extreme. It is hard to provide constructive feedback or push back against bad projects.

Cramped, noisy desk areas with low-quality monitors and office furniture.

Below average meals and snacks.