Too many captains - not enough sailors - Application Engineer Xylem Employee Review

2.0
Jun 16, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You get to work with great people who are passionate about water Benefits are OK with fairly competitive compensation They helped to pay off some of my student loans

Cons

Too many managers making decisions without consulting operations - they are so far removed from their customers - they have no idea what decisions that they are making nor are they accounting for what the customer experience is changing. There are a lot of captains (managers) and the number of sailors dwindles week-to-week. They are pushing old timers out in order to push a more modern way of work. "Get on board or get out of the way" is the going mantra these days. It's a shame that only after three years - this is not the same company that I joined. Too many managers making decisions - telling us what we should do. Good luck getting into upper management - if you don't have an MBA, forget about it.

Explore other reviews about Xylem

5.0
Jun 6, 2026
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice managers, supportive, kind environment

Cons

None really, would recommend for internship

2.0
Jun 25, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good pay, unlimited PTO, and the occasional free lunch when leadership is in town. There are also volunteer activities available if you want to get involved.

Cons

Only 12 paid holidays, and Veterans Day and MLK Day aren’t included. Expectations shift constantly, creating rework, wasted effort, and frequent overtime that leads to burnout. The environment is highly political, with a small group gatekeeping information, unclear ownership, and perception often outweighing results. The business is volatile, with heavy, frequent restructures and ongoing headcount cuts. Technology and systems are outdated, processes aren’t documented, and training/onboarding is weak. The culture leans toward a boys’ club, and it’s easy to feel sidelined or disrespected—so you’ll need a thick skin. Decisions are driven by short‑term goals, and the future often feels uncertain.

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