Great culture, colleagues, and very interesting work for software engineers - Senior Principal Software Engineer CarGurus Employee Review

5.0
Apr 24, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A lot of places say they have collaborative teams, but CarGurus is hands down the best example of that I've ever seen. Helpful, sharing, and open to new ideas: it is all baked into the culture. Even non-work things, like the company's charitable giving, is run with the same values. The technology challenges are many, and very interesting, as the business continues to grow and evolve. The level of trust in sharing longer range plans is impressive, and definitely helps align our technology with those goals in practical ways. The work/life balance is very good. Everyone is very focussed when at work, but can relax and recharge when at not. The hybrid work scheme in the Cambridge offices works well, although I do wish more people showed up more than the minimum two days a week -- meeting in person is so much more productive than by Zoom. I would have thought the allure of nice (free) lunches would be stronger :-).

Cons

Some of the technologies in use are rather old, which can be annoying. For example, Java 8 is still widely used, with a smattering of 11, and Go is similarly stuck in the past, at 1.17. For those of us used to the newer features of those languages this can be a drag. The office at 2CP is noisy, especially with the construction going on on the floor above. It also seems like the air handling system is being run at max, which creates considerable background noise (I'm guessing that's due to Covid mitigation.)

Explore other reviews about CarGurus

5.0
Jun 15, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible workplace that prioritizes professional and personal development. Amazing office and perks that motivate you to come to the office. Culture is strong, people work hard and support each other.

Cons

Sometimes unclear career progression opportunities.

5.0
Jun 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Having completed my first three months as a Senior Engineering Manager, my experience has been very positive so far. Excellent Culture: The organization fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive culture where people are encouraged to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and work together toward common goals. Leadership is approachable, and there is a strong focus on transparency and continuous improvement. Great Team: I have had the opportunity to work with a highly talented, knowledgeable, and supportive team. Everyone is willing to help, share expertise, and contribute to collective success, making onboarding and collaboration seamless. Technology-Forward and Innovation-Driven, The company embraces modern technologies and remains technology-agnostic, selecting the best tools and platforms for the problem at hand rather than being tied to specific vendors. The organization is proactive in exploring emerging technologies, including cloud, platform engineering, and AI, which creates an exciting environment for learning and innovation. Overall, my first three months have reinforced that this is a great place to grow professionally while working on meaningful and technically challenging initiatives.

Cons

The hybrid work model requires employees to be in the office three days per week, which may not suit everyone. However, I personally appreciate the opportunity to collaborate face-to-face, build relationships, and connect with colleagues. Combined with the office perks and supportive environment, I do not currently have any major cons to report.

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