Qualcomm

Good technology, challenging work, and a good opportunity to sharpen technical and all-round skills. Even entry-level positions involve a lot of responsibility, including liaising with other technology teams and coordinating release schedules, besides technical competence with system software design.

Middle management leaves a lot to be desired.

Frequent changes in direction, last-minute surprises, and crisis mode operation are de rigueur rather than the exception.

The problem is exacerbated by unrealistically aggressive schedules, lack of planning, shortage of resources, and the setting of unrealistic customer expectations by marketing. As a result, most of the engineers routinely end up working very late hours with little appreciation of their outstanding effort.

Rehaul middle management structure, with better planning, especially program management.