Lots of change in R&D, stable response to COVID
Pros
I've spent all my time (~5 years) in software R&D, so speaking of my experience in this organization so far. - Kind, smart people in R&D. Expect to have chief software engineers (or even the VP of Software) value your ideas and opinions regardless of your position, even if you are a Level 1 new-hire. - NI is trying to become a more fast-moving company who supports and uses the latest technologies. Examples - - Open source used to be a no-go, but is now growing to be more accepted at the senior leadership level. - Their proprietary software language/framework is becoming increasingly accessible via Python and other popular languages. - Some new applications are built in Electron or other PWAs instead of sticking with C++ or LabVIEW for everything. - Software R&D provides periodic formal opportunities for trying out new teams and growing different skills. There is an increased focus on formal training to learn and grow new skills. - COVID response has been great. There were layoffs in various parts of the company (including R&D) in 2019, but in 2020 there have been no layoffs, and they gave out raises to better match industry standards (though they are still ~10% below average compared to where the industry was at in early 2019). In early 2019 NI amended their health insurance policy to fully pay for all COVID-related medical expenses encountered by people on the company medical plan. - Most people are working from home since March through the end of the year. Since services like the cafeteria is closed, NI covered wages of contracted staff like cafeteria workers through the end of the year (I do not know if they are helping out past the end of the year).
Cons
- Salary is definitely sub-par, and it is not as fast paced as a smaller company. No work from home stipend to cover the costs of a home office (although employees have been allowed to take work equipment home) - While the high degree of change means the chances of getting pigeonholed in an area is low, it also means it is difficult to gain true expertise in an area. - 2019 layoffs were all over the place, and came as a complete surprise to many, including mid-level management who were left holding the bag and hadn't been trained on how to handle it. Because NI hadn't been an aggressive company previously, performance reviews were not calibrated well across the organization, which resulted in many high-performers being laid off.
