Good resume builder - Senior Software Developer Instrument Employee Review

3.0
Mar 29, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- If you're on a high-functioning team, the people you work with day to day are second to none. - Interesting client projects, big names. - The office space is definitely a pro, but with the pandemic remote work, kind of moot. - Some slack channels are nice but the overall slack culture is very fragmented, kind of touchy.

Cons

- Growing pains as they adjust to remote work. - Leadership disconnected from the work being done. - Payscale drastically lower for developers compared to industry standards. Management provides tons of non answers for this, but they are collecting huge year end bonuses on the difference. Merely trying to get the pay bands published INTERNALLY, was a huge effort from multiple people, and took months longer than it should have. - Upwards of 10 developers have quit since remote work started, mostly senior positions or above. That's a huge portion of the department, which had around 35 when I started. Management fired two dev leaders after failing to meet extremely vague internal benchmarks. Those two were among the most outspoken employees for equity and transparency across the company. Just a neat coincidence. - Diversity is low, but they are making an effort. If you're not on a high-functioning team, it's probably real hellish if you're someone who actually does the work, because you are carrying a lot of dead weight. And probably not being recognized for it. - The reviews mentioning 'clique' culture are accurate. - If you are a freelancer, you are a second class citizen at best. Night and day difference in treatment.

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Instrument Response
5y
Thank you for the time you took to write this review and share your experience at Instrument. We are working to address many of the issues you have raised above, and also understand that we didn't move quickly enough while you were here. We are proud to have published our pay bands internally and know that is just the start of a greater conversation on pay and retention. We track closely/frequently the attrition of all employees -- by discipline, level, team, ways they identify, and the reasons for their departure. From this information, we can continue to pivot and ensure that our priorities are the priorities of all. We also take seriously your note about treatment of freelancers and will continue to ensure all "employees" of Instrument feel cared for.

Explore other reviews about Instrument

5.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with great people. Seamless life, work balance, and a very nice company culture.

Cons

No big cons as far as my concern. The pay can be slightly better, but it's okay compared to other agencies' standards.

3.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people here are great. Every team feels fairly connected, even for a 250+ person agency. Work/life balance is the best I've experienced at an agency so far. Pay is fair and scales depending on where you live and your experience overall. Work has the potential to be interesting, but most clients we bring in are not looking for ground-breaking work.

Cons

The benefits are not extraordinary, other than generous PTO. Recently removed a sabbatical program. Layoffs that come as a surprise, with scrambles only months later to fill the eliminated roles. Freelance hiring is hit or miss. Publicly-owned with a parent company that doesn't align with Instrument's morals. Leadership feels fairly disconnected and not genuinely interested in resolving the low morale amongst the larger team. Seemingly more interested in advertising themselves and using AI than in focusing on craft and high-quality projects. Constant leadership departures create anxiety.

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