Taro Logo

Declining culture, worst middle management.

Senior Software Engineer
Current Employee
Has worked at Rubrik for 2 years
April 26, 2025
Bangalore Rural, Karnataka
1.0
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookApproves of CEO
Pros

Good benefits: free cab and food.

Cons

Many brilliant engineers. If you hand-select candidates from IIT and NIT, that's a given.

Most do not stay beyond a couple of years, and the reason could very well be the absolute incompetent middle management layer.

There have been several questions raised internally on what the hiring bar is for managers and leads, with no real response at any time.

The result is a management-heavy org where many of the leads and managers have zero technical skills or strategy. They neither have a shiny college to their name nor any significant past company experience.

They will work like the worst employees at service-based orgs, strategize as if stuck in the 80s. You will wonder how they got in and also if they can manage to get in anywhere else other than here.

Their word is law, and any kind of questioning or new ideas are not welcome.

Entire time will be spent firefighting customer issues that come in like an avalanche due to no strategy in place, leading to severe burnout.

Ratings/promos are based on how well you get on with your superiors (read: satisfy their ego) versus your actual contribution.

There are rampant cliques and groups based on language and region, and everyone turns a blind eye to it.

DEI also includes regional diversity, but that's not the norm here. Enter open favoritism and biases brushed under 'fairness above all' sermons.

If at all you happen to join this place, ask:

  • If your manager or lead is technical, what's their background and credibility?
  • What's the roadmap for the next 6 months, at least?
  • What's the regional diversity ratio in your team?

The founders are genuinely excellent people, and their vision is truly admirable. However, even after several objections, if people fail to see what's not working in your culture, then one can't really hope.

Advice to Management

Brilliant engineers need brilliant leaders. Period. Otherwise, the result will always be suboptimal.

Additional Ratings

Work/Life Balance
1.0
Culture and Values
1.0
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
1.0
Career Opportunities
1.0
Compensation and Benefits
2.0
Senior Management
1.0

Was this helpful?

Rubrik Interview Experiences