TiVo reviews

Company lacks new direction, and constant top-level leadership changes aren’t helping when it comes to defining this new direction. Below market pay and no raises (unless you are in with your GM). The experience at TiVo really depends on your department and your boss. The company is middle management heavy and there really aren't enough people to do the actual work that needs to be done. For example, there were directors / managers with a team of 1 or even none. It’s not unusual to be paid one salary and be expected to do the job of 5 people. Middle management were constantly scoping projects like they had an army at their disposal. Once reality set in, major sacrifices in quality were made in order to get things out of the door. There is also a great deal of politics at the middle level, so you have to either play along or eventually move along. I had the misfortune of working for a machiavellian, duplicitous type who pretty much undermined and played politics with everyone, including his own team. Not only was I shocked at how many enemies our very small team made, but also how easy and comfortable this guy was in lying to people, including his own employees. While there are many diamonds in the rough, when it comes to hiring, TiVo is cheap and leans towards hiring entry level, junior contractors or mainly below average people. Many talk a good game, make the boss laugh, but are clearly unqualified, generally incompetent and have no real idea on how to deliver a quality product or message. Unfortunately both these groups also do everything they can to undermine those that do. The antiquated and constantly breaking systems provided by I.T. are subpar. Those few who strive for a quality product are eventually beaten down by the politics, undermining, lack of resources, broken systems, and constant waves of mediocrity that permeate this entire company.

1. Out-sourcing focused - as much as possible, they try to be super lean in US, in all departments, be it engineering or other. If an employee resigns in US office, they hire a replacement in Romania/India. 1st level Managers suffer and work a lot to deliver. 1st level managers (those who manage engineers) do all kinds of dances in order to deliver projects, pressure engineers, but can't speak for those employees to get raises because they know they're yelled at (by VPs/Directors). 2. below par pay, no bonus, stock awards at peanut size - annual performance reviews are a comedy skit If someone joins in US, be prepared to work with no appreciation or growth or salary hikes. E.g. salary hikes for last 3 yr in top engineering talent (below Architect level, interviewed multiple folk) is 1.1k, 1k, 1.5k ... this is a big joke compared to what industry is paying over last 3-4 yr. (2014-2017) 2. Mantra they follow: don't promote those who work in USA i.e. no growth how much ever you contribute for 5 yr, or 10 yr 3. technically, they stick to old ways and not adapting newer technologies (except for Haxe on client-side; MicroServices on server-side; Splunk in Ops) 4. average workforce age is much older than other companies 5. No other product in positive sight other than IPTV based solution for MSOs... if that doesn't click, there will be another layoff (4 in last 6 years)!