Toxic and stressful - Anonymous employee SparkFun Employee Review

2.0
Jul 17, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are a lot of really great people that work at SparkFun. What the company does is really cool. The building itself is quirky and fun, and the employee discount is great for parts.

Cons

Literally no leadership. CEO has no idea how to be a CEO and gets lost in the weeds. He doesn't provide direction for the company and the result is a business that doesn't know what it wants to be. This causes stress for employees and results in some really weird business decisions. Environment can be a lot like high school, with cliques and gossip and backstabbing. There's very little professional respect for anyone who's not an engineer or developer. Culture is cult-like and misogynistic. If you're a woman and/or in a non-engineering field, this place is very frustrating and draining.

Explore other reviews about SparkFun

5.0
Mar 13, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people with a lot of enthusiasm

Cons

Not as laid back as it used to be

2.0
Mar 29, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Gained valuable hands-on experience in electromechanical systems. Developed strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. Learned how to work independently with minimal supervision. Had exposure to innovative electronics and hardware projects.

Cons

Lack of a team-oriented work environment. Minimal communication from management, leading to uncertainty. No incentives or team-building activities to boost morale. Limited opportunities for professional growth or internal collaboration.

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