Institutionalized Dysfunction - Anonymous employee MathWorks Employee Review

2.0
Dec 18, 2013
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Stable revenue stream, no threat of layoffs, decent campus in Natick with some creature comforts (gym, for-pay cafeteria, pastry counter, etc.).Benefits are okay. This company has been around for three decades, and will likely persist for many years to come.

Cons

Sub-par salaries (by a wide margin). BIZARRE corporate culture of micromanagement and fear. Don't say the phrase "Open Source" anywhere. It's taboo. Don't suggest changing systems or procedures that are already in place. That's taboo. Don't refuse to go to ANY company event. The Eye of Sauron will quickly swivel your way. You WILL feel its baleful, needy glare. The CEO is excessively invested in minutiae to a pathological degree. Whether it's the widgets on your desktop system and its power management settings, or the color of the walls in the hallway, he has a strong opinion about it. I didn't believe the story about him setting guidelines for mounting clocks in conference rooms based on the position of screws in the whiteboards... until I heard about it from multiple coworkers. This place will stress you out while paying less than any other company would consider reasonable. Avoid, avoid, avoid!

Explore other reviews about MathWorks

5.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture, amazing benefits, work on solving cool problems

Cons

A bit slower to move and innovate due to long term customers

4.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

great work life balance and awesome atmosphere

Cons

a bit slow if you want impact

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All