NetApp

NetApp has a quality product, and management fully supports innovation in the technologies and interfaces provided by the product to the customer. WRT management, the door is always open to discuss and test new ideas, and the product lines are open for scrutiny to all employees, be they engineer, support, or admin.

NetApp devotes a great deal of resources in assisting their customer base and the engineers employed to support it. Advancement is a normal thing at NetApp, and consideration of the employee's satisfaction is always given. This is even if the losing section is going to have to struggle without the employee (personal satisfaction and advancement are always treated with importance).

In every planning cycle, management gives consideration to losses to be incurred from upcoming promotions. In many of my previous jobs, I found myself in a 'one deep' position without possibility of advancement short of leaving the company. At NetApp, I know that regardless how much I achieve, advancement will always be available.

Downsides at NetApp?

There are none.

Seriously, any problem is addressed by management quickly, so problems are not too commonplace. About the only real problem I see is that sometimes sections are decimated by promotions beyond what management foresaw, and it takes time to rebuild the strength of the section. But the alternative (keeping employees blocked from advancement) seems like a poor solution in my eyes.

If you have a desire to succeed, and if you like being recognized for work above and beyond the norm, NetApp is definitely a place to be.

Keep doing what you're doing, and do more of it.