eBay

eBay, by its very definition, is an economic force that helps mitigate the polarization of wealth. It makes commerce accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

The team I work with is exceptional, full of people that are both intelligent and kind, who are challenge-oriented and care about our projects and one another.

I have been a software engineer for 15 years, and have experienced what we all have experienced: the various joys and frustrations inherent in our business. I have never been happier than I am at eBay, no kidding.

Specifics:

• An internal VM cloud, available for any developer to spin up a machine with a Linux or Windows image to test an idea or develop a POC.
• The freedom to innovate. No one is going to hold you back because "we don't do things that way around here."
• Compensation is at the top of the scale.
• The culture strikes a great balance between caring about employees and getting the work done. I like working with people who want to work hard, and who understand that living to work is insane.

I have been doing this for a while. In my experience, the cons at eBay are dwarfed by the pros.

In my experience as an employee, I am challenged, work with a great team, and am well compensated.

Keep doing what you are doing, especially the effort around structured data and creating a meaningful site catalogue.

This work is going to keep eBay viable and valuable well into this century.