Great people, but the system is broken - Architect II SmithGroup Employee Review

Big firm, stodgy, very political. Very inconsistent quality control. Tends to have an "assembly line" mentality, which may appear to be efficient but definitely not a good place to learn or advance a career. About twenty people have been laid off this past year. Management has not officially acknowledged any of these layoffs. Everything is heard through the grapevine. No "thank you we wish him/her well." Communication, among many other things, is quite lacking.