Agilent Technologies – “Good, stable company; great place to work.”

Pros

Some random thoughts in no particular order: It's a great work environment and culture. People really do seem to get along. Management is connected with employees; there's no feeling that you work in a highly tiered company. Results are rewarded. Of all the places I've worked, this place has by far the least politics, and you really feel like good work isn't punished. You are free to stick your neck out without fear of your head being cut off. Some tech companies have that sweat shop feel, but not Agilent. The management goes to great lengths to make its workforce feel valued. When times are good, we have keggers; when times are bad, management bends over backwards to keep from having to make layoffs.

Cons

For a serious scientist, opportunities for career advancement can be limited. If you're a PhD research scientist, keep in mind that you most likely won't be doing cutting-edge research if you sign on. Like most companies, R&D investment is just enough to try to keep up with the flood of innovation coming out of national laboratories &c. There are many interesting problems to work on but sometimes it's just scattershot.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't pass up the opportunity to take a leadership role in key technologies. Too often, we play catch-up because we don't are afraid to invest in risky far-thinking ideas, unlike our competitors.