Kafka is Great but Beware Culture Problems - Technical Field Confluent Employee Review

3.0
Aug 28, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Kafka is game-changing technology with an amazing addressable market. - Confluent is the main player to address this market with a focus on the more advanced use cases in the space. - Lots of incredibly talented individuals all across Confluent who want to see it succeed

Cons

The culture has declined over time but always been problematic. Confluent is not the type of place that rewards identifying risks and problems. There is a huge emphasis on following the party line and never questioning decisions or paths forward. Top performers are labeled as a troublemaker when they try and warn the organization of customer problems or potential issues with product or approach. You either drink the coolaid and shut up, or you can spend your entire career here watching the "yes man" types get ahead. Furthermore, the company is morphing into a more Oracle sales model due to new leadership and pushing out the elite talent that got Confluent to where it is today to bring in friends from the past.

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5.0
May 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Eng heavy culture Great benefits

Cons

IBM acquisition could change culture

3.0
Apr 17, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Remote Work - Great flexibility with working from other locations - Unlimited PTO - Competitive compensation - Great health benefits - Autonomy to choose your projects and work, minimal micro-management

Cons

- No 401K match (IBM does have some retirement contributions) - My org was very unstable and there was lots of restructuring / silent lay-offs/ firings that kept happening all year round. Constant pressure to perform - Very few people were driven and motivated. Many were simple coasting - IBM Acquisition is going to ruin the culture. Young, hip Mountain View tech company getting acquired by large legacy consulting company is a big cultural mismatch. Huge round of layoffs already done, expect more. Lot of voluntary exists since the acquisition announcement. Most people are not motivated enough anymore to work since pay, benefits, culture all will be eroded because of the acquisition. Not a lot of clarity on how the org will continue. Current leadership will not stay for long - Some of the senior leaders were un-inspirational and lack-lustre

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