Oracle requires Fight in the Dog - Director, Software Engineering Oracle Employee Review

2.0
Aug 22, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Oracle is recognized world-wide as the leading provider of database technology. It is an A-list company on any resume. There are numerous opportunities to grow professionally within Oracle, but doing so will take require some "fight-in-the-dog". Oracle offers a competitive workplace with a great number of people with less than two years of employment with the company. Constant turnover results in fresh ideas and an opportunity to take ownership of orphaned projects. The company employs a very diverse and international group at the headquarters in Redwood Shores, CA, which allows for a diverse social network in off hours. It's benefits are generally in-line with any global corporation.

Cons

Oracle is focused on promoting use of its database technology stack for any purpose. This is a fundamental engineering blunder: one tool does not solve all problems. Oracle faces significant competition from open source alternatives that are eating away at its customer base, and it is not clear how it will compete against OSS alternatives. Within Oracle, the diversity and use of H1-B talent results in significant infighting between groups, and within groups. In the dot-com bust years, many foreign workers may have found themselves in a position to work significantly harder than US citizens to hold onto their job, or face layoffs. Oracle actively uses layoffs to trim its workforce.

Explore other reviews about Oracle

5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very cushy at times, not super high pressure

Cons

The actual software you're selling is low to mid tier software so hard to sell.

4.0
Oct 21, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Every group/division can be different in how they treat their employees, but I'd say overall there is very good atmosphere of trust and fairness. There is a strong focus on education, and they reimburse for outside classes taken (Up to 5k/year I think). Benefits are good, and I'd say quite competitive in the market. Good 401K matching (they'll contribute a max of 3% of your 6% or greater). Free drinks in the breakroom. Flexibility to work from home at times. (If you live 50+ miles away from an office you can work full-time from home...policy).

Cons

They don't try to make the workplace anything special (maybe a pool table and arcade game are cliche or gimmicky?). In the 10 years I've worked there, they've given 2 measly %1 cost of living raises (this is the same with most everyone I've spoken to, some don't get any raises). You will not get a substantial raise ever, unless you leave then get rehired on (they will not match offers, better to leave). New employees that you train will make 10 - 20K more than you several years after you hire on (not just me, they do this to all tenured employees). They will give these untrained, less experienced people higher titles (again this is done to everyone not just me). You learn pretty quickly that you're dispensable. The company has billions in cash and they don't re-invest in their employees, just in acquiring new companies and hiring new people that know nothing that you get to train.

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