Worst IT Department around. - Senior IT Engineer Qualcomm Employee Review

1.0
May 20, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Can't really think of any. Even their 401k matching isn't that great.

Cons

The Corporate IT department is underpaid and understaffed. The majority of the employees are disgruntled and spend their weeks (and weekends) stuffed in cubicles with frowns on their faces. The management is morally and politically corrupt. Consisting of a cultish group of Qualcomm "lifers" (many have been there 15+ years) who really only lookout for their own. Many have no credible management training and no degree above high school. They were simply just there long enough and eventually pushed into management. To these people, nothing else matters. This group is essentially closed off to outsiders, so forget about being in it. They also enjoy flaunting their money to everyone (BMW cars, $10k watches, Tesla cars etc...) thus lowering the moral of their staff even further. Qualcomm boasts the phrase "work life balance", however to management, work is their life so the phrase is all but irrelevant to them, which in turn filters down to the employees. So employees get worked to the bone. Promotions, performance and appreciation (and remaining employed) are honored on a strict "who you know/blow" basis. Hence, if you grease the right wheel or know the right people you can get 3 promotions in 3 years, even if you do nothing. But if you aren't a wheel greaser, or you challenge their ancient system, you may get one promotion in a decade, despite busting your butt.

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5.0
May 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Competitive Pay and good team

Cons

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3.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great benefits, the pay is like okay. Some cool reimbursement programs and health centers on campus

Cons

Career progression and culture varies extremely depending on department. Some parts almost set you up for failure and it's difficult to gain new skills. Lots of qualcomm teams are too scared to explore new technologies and migrate to state of the art services and are comfortable in sticking with old technology for familiarity. Also, HR does nothing if a coworker makes you uncomfortable.

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