Computer engineers are underpaid and have 0 room for growth. - Anonymous employee Descartes Systems Employee Review

2.0
22 Jan 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Stay for 6 months for the experience then go to a real software company in Boston.

Cons

There is no room for growth at descartes. I have seen software engineers work there for almost 5 years and not grow within the company. Management doesn't care either or is doing anything to address this concern. Engineers are EXPECTED to be in the office. If it's snowing 13 inches in Westboro, we didnt have the ability to work from home. This is stupid on so many levels. Employees are underpaid compared to the Boston market. Expect to make $50,000 in your first role, which is highway robbery for a software engineer in Boston. They will claim "we can't pay people anymore". Management wants you to work ridiculous hours. I understand projects have to be complete, but be ready for no work life balance. The original people who built Oz Development have all LEFT. Management barely can get along let alone have a vision for a product. The employee benefits went down hill after the merger. The 401K is capped at a laughable amount, health insurance is subpar, and there is NO ROOM FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT!! Sales is a complete pressure cooker environment with extremely high quotas that never get paid out on. And it will be your fault if you do not hit your number. Management will never take blame, or even try and help, but will keep reminding you that you will be fired if you do not hit quota. RUN FAR AWAY!!

Explore other reviews about Descartes Systems

5.0
1 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great leadership team. Great culture. Very reasonable work-life balance expectations. An organization that tries hard to always do the right thing and be fair to customers. Many key employees have been at Descartes 10+ years, great tenure. Clearly one that you can build a career at.

Cons

Lots of tech debt, makes it difficult to feel like we can innovate and do cool things. All of the acquisitions make Descartes difficult to navigate and learn, makes it even more difficult to get things done. Feels a bit stagnant at times.

1
4.0
13 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Descartes has a strong, reliable sales process that works. A lot is always changing and evolving in the business as the company acquires multiple companies per year giving sellers new products to work with.

Cons

Base comp for AE is less than the market rate. Because the company focuses on acquiring new products, little dev work goes into current systems.

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