Culture is not what is marketed or used to be - Engineering Manager Spotify Employee Review

1.0
Mar 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The global footprint and tech concerns that comes with the large user base are interesting. Lots of talented engineers. 23+5 paid days off in the US.

Cons

The culture is far from what it used to be. It used to be exciting, encouraging, can-do attitude and agile. Today, it's all top-down, employees have no say, there are no growth paths, full waterfall process, leaders breathing down your neck all the time. Compliancy to meaningless bureaucratic processes is more important than focusing on the work itself. There is no trust that people will do a great job. Top leaders do not listen or care about the employees, great and reasonable ideas are constantly squashed. The fear-based leadership style is prevalent. HR is completely disconnected from all of this and the work on the ground. Compensation is below market average with the excuse that people should stay for the cause and not the money.

Explore other reviews about Spotify

5.0
Jan 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with good name recognition

Cons

Pay isn’t comparable to other tech companies

3.0
Apr 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Stock growth is good. R&D team and ML team is solid.

Cons

Base pay is not high compared to tech companies. Some higher level managers have their positions due to relationships rather than capabilities. Majority of data scientists at the company are data analysts. Career growth is the worst at Spotify, most times you have to wait for someone with higher title to leave to get promoted by taking their role.

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