Pros: Big data technologies relevant to the market. Typically no work on weekends, but for the Cloud team, which was releasing public and private cloud products, people worked overtime a lot and were burnt out. Free lunch and coffee.

Cons: Too many. Upper management is there to enrich themselves and will use layoffs as a first resort. Morale is low because of post-merger conflicts. Even though they say it’s one team, the end result was HortonWorks people kicking out Cloudera people, especially at the middle management level. Experienced people, those who used to be PMC, and founders have all left. You still go to work with smart people if you are lucky, but the breadth and depth of your coworkers are no longer there. They have this ridiculous blocking period that starts two months before earnings. That means there are eight months in a year you cannot trade the stock.

Pros: The product is technically challenging, and it keeps some of the best people. You will have a great time if you really enjoy the work or are politically right (not a pro? :-)). Work-life balance is great, and the company really tries to maintain/improve this. Salary is good compared to other not-so-technical companies.

Cons: Many smart people left or think of leaving, and the quality of new hires becomes worse and worse. Product is so operational and supportably challenging that it is hard to earn money. Some of the managers do not know what they are doing or just care too little. Company is losing its hiring bar, probably because not enough good people want to join at this point.

Pros: Not anymore. It used to be what seems like a vibrant startup; the days are long gone.

Cons: The impression can be expressed very shortly: 'tis a hellhole. They haven't borne with the intensive growth from a smallish company to a bigger one. A number of core people have started jumping the boat because the initial good culture has never been preserved and new middle-level management has failed to do their job. Don't go there because it is a most dreadful place ran by guys and gals, who happen to have the impression that they have the biggest egos in the city. Nay, the universe! Plus, the management is circa Sun Micro 2007+; they all know what and how engineers have to do their jobs and crack the whip every time they think you're deviating from the course. People who worked for Sun would know what I meant. If you are looking for a good and cozy workplace where your skills and brain will be appreciated - look someplace else. Seriously.