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Synthetic Genomics Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D
11 Ratings
- Featured Review
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"Fantastic place to work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Comp & Benefits
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than a year)
Pros
The work is cutting edge, my co-workers are smart and friendly, and my manager gives me opportunities to grow.
Work-life balance is very attainable and benefits are decent too (recently increase PTO).Cons
Early to tell, but unsure of what career advancement opportunities there will be.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-04-26 11:56 PDT ![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Good so far"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
Good work/life balance, opportunity to grow and develop career.
Cons
Currently under states of change on focus and objectives, which isn't necessarily a bad thing
Advice to Management
Let employees know a bit more ahead of time before big decisions
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-10 12:06 PDT![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Why I worked for Synthetic Genomics"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
They are a leader in their field, the people are great to work with. The Company is dedicated toward helping sick people.
Cons
We used to have a lot of vender trade shows. They don't have many now.
Advice to Management
Their is only one thing that I can say here, I do understand that sometimes their needs to be a turnover of people because projects come to an end. But think before you heir a person and then let them go four weeks later. that person might be the next Einstein.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-07 15:27 PDTHelpful (5)
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"Very stressful for programmers"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
The pay is good and the benefits are excellent.
Cons
The job is very stressful for computer programmers. There is no one in management who can properly manage programmers, and programmers are treated poorly in the company.
It is impossible to get a stable list of requirements. Too many requirements were given to the programmers to implement in a timely fashion, and requirements would change almost every day, forcing programmers to quickly implement code; the resulting code was extremely messy and difficult to maintain.
Management was very negative, constantly criticizing programmers for not doing a good job (after not giving the programmers enough time to do a good job) in a very sanctimonious and demoralizing manner.
Because of the poor management, the company has high turnover with developers and a very difficult time keeping employees.
Do not work for this company unless you can find no other job.Advice to Management
Treat programmers with respect. Let them have enough time to do things right; do not change requirements on them every other day. Do not be negative and sanctimonious.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-02-08 11:05 PSTHelpful (3)
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"Scientist II"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time
Pros
Most of the staff are great
Cons
Management is awful, they don’t no how to run a business. Egos of the scientists hinder trying to make a profit.
Synthetic Genomics 2017-12-03 21:54 PST![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Scientist"
StarStarStarStarStarRecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
Great stuff, cool company - keep going!
Cons
No downsides, keep going everyone!
Advice to Management
Keep up the good work!
Synthetic Genomics 2017-11-22 19:07 PSTHelpful (2)
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Positive experience, but management afraid to share problems"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
Great coworkers, very collaborative, cutting edge technology
Cons
Middle management didn't share realistic view of projects with upper management. They promised things that weren't close to being ready
Advice to Management
Be more realistic with outlook of projects and promises
Synthetic Genomics 2017-08-24 07:38 PDT![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Cutting Edge Company"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics (Less than a year)
Pros
Great employees, very friendly, lots of benefits like weekly massages and occasional happy hours. Making progress toward helping the world. Well stocked break rooms. Even though there is a clear hierarchy, you quickly feel like part of a family.
Cons
Not a lot of food options nearby, aside from a couple small cafeterias
Synthetic Genomics 2017-08-23 08:36 PDTHelpful (5)
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"Research Associate"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookNo opinion of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time
Pros
The benefits, and potential mentorships.
Cons
HR is heartless, they fire people without due cause or reason, and ultimately a place with no job security unless you CYA which you should do if working there.
Advice to Management
Instead of standing there quietly and letting people walk on you try to stand up for your employees, because in the long run you will develop a loyalty that will create a phenomenal working environment for everyone.
Synthetic Genomics 2017-07-20 10:22 PDTHelpful (10)
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"How to not run a company"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time
Pros
Not sure many "pros" left. This company used to be a gem. Scientists and science was awe-inspiring. Even though some amazing scientists are still here, the inspiring atmosphere is gone. Science has great potential, but SGI is not the only one in this game.
Cons
This place will drain you. People are asked to do the impossible while management suffers from entitlement. Management is horrible, from the top dow and in between. There is no direction, no common vision, in-fighting, and bad business decisions on a revolving basis with no accountability. Working people are treated miserably. Craig's vision and passion has left the building.
Advice to Management
The board should get rid of most of the executive team and HR. The perception is that you are there for the cash out, collecting a fat paycheck in the meantime, that you don't care what happens long term, that you don't care about the science or the company. Take some basic leadership classes.
Synthetic Genomics 2017-06-08 12:05 PDT
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