Exciting learning opportunities but unfair hiring and dismissal - Principal Software Engineer Capital One Employee Review

2.0
27 Dec 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They offer the opportunity to learn and work with leading technologies in the industry: Python, AWS, Docker, SalesForce. The provide a monthly "Invest in Yourself Day" when you can do pretty much whatever you want or need.

Cons

They were not clear about the position for which they were hiring me. I thought it was a position as Senior Java Software Engineer when in reality it was Principal Python Software Engineer. It was a steep learning curve to get up to speed with Python, Spark, and AWS. I didn't mind the challenge, even putting in a couple of hours every Friday evening to study for AWS certification. But I found it unfair that during the performance review process, I was compared with other Principal Software Engineers with much more experience using Python and AWS. My immediate manager was forced to put me on a PIP with the intention of terminating my employment. (Apparently, management had set a target of 15 percent for bad performance reviews, based on stacked ranking. The PIP is just a formality after the managers have already made up their minds to get rid of those targeted in the bottom 15 percent.) I would never have accepted the job offer if I had known what the real deal was with C1's work culture.

Explore other reviews about Capital One

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Culture is amazing and work life balance

Cons

Performance management is very intense

1.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pay can be decent compared to GovCon. Some people are a pleasure to work with. Other non-pay related incentives.

Cons

Never heard more nonsensical topics during meetings; people sharing their sexual preferences, flaunting overly dramatic personal lifestyle decisions, diversity to the point of failure, etc. Hearing the term "white guilt" in a professional setting was, well, pretty unprofessional. Stack ranking for performance reviews is a mess. Someone has to have an "F" regardless of their performance because that is what their line of business is allotted. Be prepared to be held responsible for actions any Sr Leadership would just sweep under the rug under their own circumstances. If a manager doesn't like you, regardless of your productivity, you're toast unless you're able to find another LoB to support. HR / AR are just a check in the box and will most likely point you from one to the other and back again without resolving any issues. You'll find yourself curious as to what leadership does as they continue to scrape managerial responsibilities from their plate, to yours. Last but certainly not least; you may find yourself working hard on a project; nights and weekends, just in case that work life balance is feeling a little too perfect. Fret not, someone will surely assist in taking credit for the hard work you've put in. I'm sure none of these things will happen to you, though. Best of luck!

5
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