It could have been great - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

2.0
Jul 16, 2011
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Especially for the area, the salaries, benefits and work conditions are very good. There are many dedicated and talented people working at the site and the products Genentech manufactures save lives. The Hillsboro facility is brand new.

Cons

Directors and site leadership are severely disconnected from the line workers and supervisors. Morale and job dissatisfaction are at an all time high. Since this site is a 'greenfield' start-up, the original staff were talented, handpicked engineers, technicians and specialists. Unfortunately, many of these people are demotivated to the point where well over 1/3 of the salaried staff are looking for employment elsewhere. I can say with confidence that this site is not representative of Genentech as a whole. If you are pursuing employment at Genentech, check out the sites in California. As a company, Genentech is amazing but this site has a long way to go.

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Jul 8, 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
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