Qualcomm

As a big company, there are good benefits and perks if you live in San Diego.

There are good learning programs and education assistance programs.

I worked at Qualcomm Atheros from 2013 to 2015.

There was a lot of office politics as they had hired so many extra engineers and project managers. There's a matrix system where everybody has two managers: a direct and an indirect manager. You work mostly with the direct manager, but the indirect manager rates you every six months. This didn't work well in my case, as my direct manager wasn't aware of my full responsibilities. People who play politics and do the most bootlicking seemed to get promoted.

I worked on two wireless connectivity chips. Both were cancelled after tape out, and marketing takes irresponsible decisions for the product roadmap.

Salary is below the market range, and HR was rude, not even negotiating the salary while joining. 80-90% are Indians and Asians on visa. Many Indians are brought every year on business visas for up to six months and exploited. They are paid about $25 in daily allowance for meals, whereas a local employee gets that amount for one meal while traveling.

There is no work culture due to demographics as well. People just come to work and hang out in groups for coffee, etc. There's no social experience, and many are too reserved to talk.

There are no real talented people except design engineers. Test engineers are below par, and just having an MS degree doesn't mean you're employable.

Don't transfer internally to another group. They will make your life hell. It's better to find a job somewhere else.

Senior managers are there just because they've been there for so long and don't seem knowledgeable.

Do something about the work culture and stop exploiting Indians on a business visa.

Next time you do "fat trimming," make sure to cut the real fat. Nobody has faith in the company after the recent layoffs. Everyone is talking about finding another job.