Great Place to Work - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

5.0
Jun 26, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really enjoyable place to work and a great place to learn/grow - Genentech a.k.a. Biotech University. Genentech really sets the bar with the science and giving back to the employee and to the public. The company takes career development very seriously and holds management accountable to those standards.

Cons

It is very expensive to live and raise a family in the Bay Area. Almost impossible to afford a decent house in a decent neighborhood within 30 miles of work.

Explore other reviews about Genentech

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
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