Culturally conservative, but extremely lean and amazing to work for - Senior Applications Engineer MathWorks Employee Review

5.0
Jun 17, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

MathWorks knows how to take care of their employees in a way that few companies know how to. I love working here and feel privileged to be part of the team. My role is very exciting and gives me the opportunity to grow and be challenged everyday. With interactions ranging from the space agency to the automotive field as Application Engineers we get to see it all. The management structure in place has been incentivized to really remove obstacles from the path of us as engineers from being the best engineers we can. I feel bad for management sometimes since they are truly outstanding engineers from top schools themselves, but can be forced to be very process oriented.

Cons

As long as you are ok with being thoughtful from a customer perspective then this company can do wonders for your soul. Unfortunately, some people like to be innovative and creative in a vacuum such as coming out with a new idea but not really getting it validated by customers then this company is not for you and then perhaps a more research oriented role is a better fit.

Explore other reviews about MathWorks

4.0
Jul 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

MathWorks has traditionally had a strong employee-first culture, and that largely starts at the top. The company genuinely cares about employee well-being and offers one of the better benefits packages in the industry. Free breakfast and lunch, generous health insurance, a strong 401(k) match, every-other-year company outings, and unlimited sick time are all meaningful perks that employees appreciate. The work-life balance is generally good, and the company provides a stable, low-stress environment compared to many tech companies. Many employees stay for 10, 15, or even 20+ years, which speaks to the company's stability and culture.

Cons

As the company has grown, the employee-first mentality that once distinguished MathWorks feels less prominent than it used to. Decision-making can be slow, with multiple layers of review and a significant amount of bureaucracy. The company tends to be conservative and prefers following proven market trends rather than leading them or rapidly adopting new technologies. While MathWorks promotes the idea of being a "rational workplace," there is often a strong preference for following established rules and precedent. In some cases, this can make the organization less flexible and less willing to adapt decisions to specific circumstances, even when doing so would appear to be the more rational outcome. Career growth can also be challenging. Because many employees have long tenures, opportunities for promotion and advancement may be limited, especially for those looking to progress quickly. This can be frustrating for ambitious employees seeking accelerated career development. I would be less likely to recommend MathWorks as a first employer for early-career engineers looking for rapid skill development, frequent promotions, significant ownership, and experience in a fast-moving environment. The company excels at providing a stable and comfortable long-term career, but may not be the best place for those seeking accelerated professional growth early in their careers.

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