Pros
I have worked many different jobs over the last ten years and Ginkgo is a really special place. I love the work culture and love my team members. My relationships with peers are very cooperative and it feels like everyone is really looking out for everybody. I got an early-ish promotion by showing up every day and working hard and I feel like I am mostly being recognized for my hard work.
Cons
As Ginkgo has transformed from a start-up to a real company a lot of the great opportunities for younger team members at Ginkgo are drying up. Previously people that are "gunners" could move into advanced positions by just doing a great job. Ginkgo doesn't really pay much mind to advanced degrees, it just starts you a little higher on the ladder. In the past year a lot of my team members have felt like they aren't part of the bigger picture any more. Work is being gated, and I have gotten the impression that I got a promotion in title and pay, but a demotion in job duties and skills. I have become more a lab technician rather than engineer lately. Middle managers are being hired that don't really understand how ginkgo works and don't really have any interest learning its systems. This causes a divide between more tenured employees vs more senior employees. The issues with middle management are getting worse over time, and will likely continue until I end up quitting.