Fast-paced environment with many great co-workers but terrible upper management - Research Associate Illumina Employee Review

2.0
Feb 26, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Highly capable co-workers that strive to meet extremely aggressive project goals and deadlines. Before Oct 25, 2011 there was a solid cooperative environment with many people doing everything they can to help each other. There was a fair amount of in-fighting between groups over responsibilities, but it was getting better.

Cons

Terrible morale, which simply gets worse every week. Since Oct. 25, 2011, much of the development team has no incentive to do more than the bare minimum. Many former employees who have been recently forced to leave due to no desire to re-locate, have since found jobs elsewhere. This is encouraging those still working for the company to seek opportunities elsewhere. There is a large rift between the bulk of employees and senior management. Senior management seems oblivious to the problem or is simply too inept to address and improve it. Major favoritism with respect to promotions. Some groups see its team members promoted annually; others see team members go 3 years without a promotion. People resources are a hot commodity. A workforce that was lean before the RIF in October is now starving for resources on projects that are making the company money or will be doing so within the next year. Company seems to never provide enough instruments to its own departments to enable proper development and timelines.

Explore other reviews about Illumina

5.0
Jul 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with growth opportunities

Cons

Management seemed to be a bit unstable

4.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Stuck with them for 7 years because it was good back then. Comp is good, benefits are good, and if you're on campus its a nice experience. If you find the right team it can be a dream, but the flipside can be awful. Overall they have a lack of direction in what is turning out to be a highly competitive market.

Cons

Corporate bureaucracy and internal politics are strong but could be worse. The benefits were better in the past and all the perks are winding down with time as they tighten the budgets and try hard to pivot away from dying segments

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