House of cards politics and lack of trust
Pros
There were many advantages when Charles River Development operated as an autonomous organization, even though it was owned by State Street. Better pay than similar firms in Boston, and great talent to work with, but none of that is true anymore. Please check the cons.
Cons
This place is like a house of cards. The company is full of politics. The management from State Street took over Charles River leadership and brought the dirty politics. Everything you hear or see is just a smoke screen. If you are honest, committed to your work, and want to build a great product for State Street customers, you will likely face backstabbing and be let go. State Street laid off 20-50-100 talented individuals who had given decades of their careers and lives to the company on whim, not once or twice, but every few months. There were four layoff rounds in 2025 alone, and more seem to be coming. The irony is that the team bringing in a good amount of revenue is penalized to save those who make no real contribution. Consulting companies like Galatia and Deloitte, among others, receive better treatment than hardworking employees with product and industry knowledge. Not sure if someone is getting a kickback from these consulting firms, and be ready to lose your job to consultants any time unless you are good at faking your work and keeping management happy with your hollow talks. Seriously, if you have family or are trying to build a real career, this is not a place for you. Don't get fooled by the pay package. If you don't trust this review, just ask anyone working there, except those involved in the politics.
