Teradyne

Benefits are exceptional, rare these days.

Many nice, smart & hard-working people to be found

A very conservative, staid culture, slow to change or accept change. It closely resembles the culture at a defense contractor even though its breadwinner division, Semiconductor Test, is commercial. "Sink or swim" aptly describes the experience of working in engineering as there is no training, no resources or reliable guides to what is expected of you. Help from co-workers is sparse due to their use of the "rank and yank" annual evaluation system (in all but name only). This fosters a highly competitive, conformist and gossip-ridden culture which is not above stooping to character assassination and subtle forms of harassment.

Upper management is very hands off and will clearly tolerate aggressive group managers who rule with an iron hand if it gets the job done. If the "old guard" do not like you or suspect that you are a team weakness, they will work to destroy you and make your life miserable. Some managers are clearly not above playing one employee against another, not above using fear tactics.

Micromanagement here is absolutely off the charts. The emphasis on meetings makes getting one's work done an incredible challenge at times.

While its culture may resemble that of a old-fashioned engineering organization, underneath it is a manager/program manager's culture. Teradyne is still very much a brotopia, particularly in software.

Get rid of the rank and yank annual evaluation system; don't kid yourselves, that is what you are doing in practice.

This engenders the worst in employees. Also, your lack of vision, planning and timidity in the market will create an unbearable work environment for some.