Top down innovation - Senior Software Engineer Apple Employee Review

3.0
Jan 4, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

For any manager, the way to succeed at Apple is to be seen to conspicuously innovate. Good managers tap into the talents of those who report to them so that the whole team is seen to succeed and innovate. Managers get substantial authority - it's very top-down - so if you get a good manager things will work well for you. If you are considering a position at Apple, learn as much as possible about the managers you will report to, as they will make or break your experience.

Cons

The hypothetical "good" managers referred to in the Pros section are uncommon. Much more common is the sort of manager who feels insecure and considers his/her reports to be competitors, and prevents them from contributing effectively. Such managers feel under pressure to provide all the innovation themselves, and actively suppress anything from below. Of course that won't stop them from giving their reports negative performance reviews for failing to innovate. If you get this sort of manager you will find you have no voice. If you are considering a position at Apple learn as much as you can about your potential managers, try to find out which sort they are.

Explore other reviews about Apple

5.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The environment and team are great.

Cons

No cons that pose as a deterrent

4.0
Aug 28, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

We work with geniuses - in every department, We create innovative products that thrill our customers and create new product categories - who else can say that?

Cons

ZERO ZERO ZERO work/life balance. Execs have been saying for YEARS that they understand and will make it better. But in actuality, it gets worse every year! It is obviously top management LIP SERVICE because if they meant it, they could fix it tomorrow. They have hundreds of BILLIONS in the bank. If they REALLY cared about employee work/life balance, they could bring aboard the right number of folks to make that issue dissolve. Sick of hearing the lies. Just don't lie about wanting to fix it, when they clearly DON'T care

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