Cisco

[Engineering] Being a large company, Cisco needs all types of employees: slow and steady, ambitious, super talented and smart, to day-in day-out button mashers.

This is great if you're self-paced, because you'll be able to find your fit somewhere. This is the flexibility I've mentioned; they accept all types of work ethics and styles.

If you're super ambitious, it may bother you that not everyone around you works as hard as you do or is as committed.

They do exist, but as mentioned, Cisco employs all types.

In San Jose and the US in general, continue trying to hire the best and brightest, since this is the center for innovation. Other sites are recognized as having a sustaining role; therefore, hiring should focus on finding folks with long-term career goals.