Ups and downs but currently headed in the right direction - Senior Software Engineer REI Employee Review

4.0
Oct 3, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

* great work life balance * sweet discount (personally, I don't actually save money, I just buy way nicer stuff) * newer management is much better. Historically we've had pretty old school management in IT and it's still an issue on the infrastructure side of the house but the development side has gotten much much better. * rei.com side of things is pretty modern and big on Agile/Devops/continuous delivery. *standard Java shop (spring, hibernate/jpa, resteasy, maven)

Cons

* still have to fight some old school management, particularly in infrastructure. * still recovering from a really bad VP of IT that's no longer there, still many top down processes from that which are too slowly going away.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
May 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People and incredible work culture. REI truly walks the walk when it comes to company culture. Significant amount of focus on people and values in a genuine way. Exceptional benefits and pay. Making medical coverage available for all employees part time and full time.

Cons

Not many negatives to share.

3.0
May 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Most coworkers, some managers, discounts, outfitting people properly without extra nonsense

Cons

Some truly horrible managers, pressure to sell credit cards is a morale killer, the union people. Employees drinking the union kool aid fail to see the company’s position, REI cannot give higher pay, better benefits , consistent hours, etc… with the erratic revenue stream that comes in , if a 5 year average is X in revenue and 5 year average is Y on wages and costs, how are they supposed to increase wages and benefits? It’s numbers and they don’t line up, if REI gives the increases which increases the expenses greatly, they will cut staff, a lot fewer employees which will eliminate a bunch of union supporters, an REI job is not supposed to be a lucrative deal, when you get hired the part time , part time plus and full time options are there and you choose what you want fully understanding what hours you are going to get at minimum, they will hire those positions on a need basis, to cry later that you don’t make enough money is your fault, the terms were clear and you signed off on them. The union is promising rainbows , reality will be far different, careful what you wish for

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