6 months in and still doesn't feel like I work for a bank - Senior Software Engineer Capital One Employee Review

4.0
Apr 16, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Capital One's Technology department is young, diverse and very tech-forward. Feels as current with the tech scene as any startup I've worked in—from the open office culture to the product development methodologies to the actual tech stacks we use. I also very much appreciate their hiring process, which focuses as much on your character and chemistry with your potential teammates as your technical chops. I enjoy the people I work with now even more than close friends whose companies I've worked for in the past.

Cons

Capital One's non-tech departments have a little ideological catching up to do. Not a lot, but some. There's definitely a gap in understanding between the agile/lean methodology of the tech department and the more numerical timeline-/goal-oriented mentality of the company at large. Luckily, it's not a conflict or a war—just difference in backgrounds. One that I believe can (and will) be overcome with more communication between the two.

Explore other reviews about Capital One

5.0
Jul 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work, people are nice

Cons

stack ranking is tough all the time

2.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Salary, benefits, mobility for internal transfers

Cons

I have been a part of Capital One for more than 20 years, most of my career. It was an exciting growth culture in the early years. Our team culture was very strong. People looked out for each other and worked toward a collective good. Around 2019 a shift began in leadership. Politics became more important and forced distribution, stack ranking, and performance management targets became more prevalent. When the pandemic hit, it broke the strong in person culture of this company. Many left for the lure of FAANG and other companies offering remote work for promotion and higher pay. It was a chance to jump the line and come back later. In the meantime COF hired people who tired of the relentless pace of Amazon, Google, and other tech companies. We also hired in big bank culture of JPM Chase and Goldman. This has resulted in a toxic, political, cutthroat culture with constant reorgs. I’m planning to leave this organization in the next 12 months. It is sad what it has become. I know tenured leaders, great people who look out for others and have helped me succeed over the years, who are miserable here. DFS colleagues from the acquisition are leaving in droves.

4
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All