The right place if you want to learn how not to build software - Software Engineer Refinery29 Employee Review

1.0
Aug 9, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great pay, little effort required.

Cons

The company has gotten used to a very slow moving software engineering department, and people think that's the way it should be done. However, it isn't. People slack, and it's ok, because managers slack, too. Most engineers have insufficient experience, and get promoted only so they don't seek jobs elsewhere, or because they have stuck around long enough. Few people would be able to find a job with the same title and role in a real tech company. Sticking around longer is definitely harming to one's career.

Explore other reviews about Refinery29

5.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great culture, extremely nice employees, diverse workplace

Cons

Not very cutting edge with their approach to tech

4.0
Mar 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Refinery29 was training day, every day. The pace and creative expectations forced you to sharpen fast. I cut my teeth here over four years and came out a fundamentally better strategist. The work was culturally plugged in, the people were sharp, and you were trusted with real responsibility early. If you wanted to learn how brand, content, and audience intersect at speed, there was no better place.

Cons

The intensity that makes it a great training ground also means the environment runs hot. Not everyone thrives in that — and depending on your team, support structures varied. The company went through a lot of change during my time, which created some instability.

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