Quirky culture, a biotech company with a true silicon valley feel. - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

4.0
13 Mar 2009
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Quirky culture, great sense of community and mission, generally fun and intelligent co-workers, lovely ocean views from many of the windows! It is very easy to switch functions within the company, and both research and business personnel are top-notch. People take great pride in their work, and managers understand work-life balance--Genentech is notoriously mom-friendly.

Cons

There is some sense of disconnect between the goals of business units and research department--some brand teams have very poor scientific understanding of the products that they are working with, while certain researchers are only vaguely aware of marketing as a function at Genentech. Compensation is not competitive with some of the other biotechs, but this is generally made up for in generous benefits. The company's growth and expansion has led to the erosion of former "small company" and entrepreneurial feel, and the instability of the upcoming Roche takeover makes everyone uneasy. As a new hire, it can be unclear of what the promotion schedule is like, and some departments are very hierarchical.

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5.0
6 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great salary and team! The interview process was smooth and effective.

Cons

To be determined, but so far many alignment meetings. Some folks have frustuations around the re-org and strategy changes.

2.0
19 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The work is meaningful and overall the company vision aligns with my goals

Cons

QA management has become inept. None of the leadership (aside from maybe one or two) truly understand the nuances of our site and jobs. They refuse to pay you more due to "budget" reasons but won't provide much information, they claim to be transparent but will make decisions behind your back and not communicate them, even if they impact you and/or your job. Leadership doesn't listen to feedback and gets defensive if you even try to give any. It honestly has become a game of politics only in QA and that's not really building any real quality culture.

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