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Riverbed Technology Employees Reviews, Feedback, Testimonials

Network performance and WAN optimizationSan Francisco, United States501-1,000 employees
3.5
2 reviews

About Riverbed Technology

Riverbed Technology specializes in network performance management and observability, helping enterprises optimize WAN performance, application delivery and digital experience. Headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers products like SteelHead for WAN optimization and SteelCentral for performance monitoring, alongside modern observability and edge solutions. The organization attracts IT professionals, network engineers and software developers seeking experience in performance tuning, distributed systems and enterprise-scale deployments. Riverbed’s culture blends technical problem-solving with customer-focused service delivery, and employees often cite opportunities to work on diagnostics, large-scale troubleshooting and cross-functional product development. The company has a reputation for deep expertise in accelerating applications over wide area networks and for enabling digital initiatives that require consistent user experience across distributed locations. A unique detail is Riverbed’s long-standing role in WAN optimization, where its technologies have been widely adopted by enterprises to improve application responsiveness. For candidates interested in networking, performance engineering and observability, Riverbed offers a technically rigorous environment with clear paths for skill growth and impactful customer engagements.

Detailed Riverbed Technology employee reviews & experience

Employee Testimonials

Employees who have worked at Riverbed Technology often describe their day-to-day in a relatable way. Many say they enjoy the technical challenges and the chance to work on performance and networking products. A common comment is that working at Riverbed Technology gives engineers exposure to complex systems and enterprise customers. Some staff mention fast-paced sprints and tight deadlines, but also highlight collaborative teams and helpful peers who will pitch in when needed.

Company Culture

The company culture at Riverbed Technology blends engineering focus with a customer-first mindset. Teams tend to be outcome-driven, and you will see a mix of long-tenured employees and newer hires bringing fresh ideas. There is an emphasis on solving real-world network and performance issues, which keeps the work meaningful. If you are researching company culture at Riverbed Technology, expect an environment that values technical competence, practical problem solving, and steady improvement rather than flashy perks.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance at Riverbed Technology is generally described as reasonable, though it varies by team and role. Some people report predictable hours and good boundaries, while others—especially in customer-facing or release-critical roles—experience heavier weeks around launches or escalations. Managers tend to be mindful of workload, and teams often try to rotate on-call responsibilities so the load is shared. If flexible hours and predictable downtime are priorities, ask about team norms during interviews.

Job Security

Job security at Riverbed Technology is tied to business performance and market demand. There will be periods of reorganization typical of technology companies, and roles linked to strategic priorities are more stable. Employees who consistently deliver value and adapt to product or market changes will have stronger job security. It is advisable to stay current on product direction and to build cross-functional relationships to mitigate risk.

Leadership and Management

Leadership at Riverbed Technology focuses on customer outcomes and product reliability. Executives are generally technical-minded and invest in product roadmaps. Communication from the top can be periodic and practical, with leaders sharing priorities and restructuring when needed to respond to market dynamics. Managers are expected to balance technical direction with people management, and success tends to come to those who are clear, communicative, and responsive.

Manager Reviews

Manager experiences are mixed but informative. Some managers are praised for mentorship, clear expectations, and career support. Others are viewed as more delivery-focused and less hands-on with coaching. When considering a role, speak with potential managers about feedback frequency, performance reviews, and professional development. A good manager at Riverbed Technology will advocate for their team and make trade-offs visible.

Learning & Development

Learning and development opportunities exist in the form of internal knowledge sharing, technical trainings, and conference support. New hires will learn a lot from hands-on work and peer code reviews. Formal training budgets vary by region and role, and some teams prioritize certifications and workshops. If continuous learning is important, inquire about training allowances and mentorship programs during the hiring process.

Opportunities for Promotions

Opportunities for promotions are present but depend on business needs and demonstrated impact. Advancement tends to reward clear deliverables, cross-team contributions, and leadership in projects. Promotion cycles may follow standard review periods, and proactive conversations with managers about career paths are helpful. Employees who show initiative and take ownership of outcomes will find paths to progression.

Salary Ranges

Salary ranges at Riverbed Technology reflect competitive tech market levels and vary by role, location, and experience. For illustrative purposes, typical ranges might be: entry-level engineers $80,000–$110,000, mid-level engineers $110,000–$150,000, senior engineers $140,000–$200,000, and product or leadership roles higher depending on scope. These are approximate figures and will vary widely by geography and market conditions.

Bonuses & Incentives

There are bonus and incentive programs aligned with role and performance. Sales roles will often have commission plans, and many engineering and leadership roles have performance bonuses tied to company or team results. Equity or stock-based incentives may be offered to certain levels. Payout structures and eligibility are role-dependent and are typically reviewed during offer discussions.

Health and Insurance Benefits

Health and insurance benefits are structured to cover major needs. Typical offerings include medical, dental, and vision plans, often with options for family coverage. There may be flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, and some locations receive wellness perks. Benefits packages vary by country and employment level, so it is important to review the specific plan details for your location.

Employee Engagement and Events

Employee engagement comes through team meetups, hack days, virtual socials, and periodic in-person events when feasible. The company encourages knowledge sharing and community through internal forums and brown-bag sessions. Events are intended to build connection across distributed teams and to celebrate milestones. Engagement levels vary by team, but many employees appreciate the efforts to keep morale up.

Remote Work Support

Remote work support is available and includes collaboration tools, VPN access, and cloud-based systems. Some roles are fully remote-capable, while others prefer hybrid or onsite presence depending on customer needs. Hardware stipends or home office support may be offered in certain regions. Remote work arrangements are typically discussed at the offer stage and are flexible within team guidelines.

Average Working Hours

Average working hours are around standard full-time expectations—roughly 40 hours per week—with occasional peaks. During product releases, customer escalations, or major incidents, weeks can extend into longer hours. The company encourages reasonable work patterns and managers are expected to monitor burnout risks.

Attrition Rate & Layoff History

Attrition rates have fluctuated with market cycles and strategic changes, as is common in the industry. Some employees have reported periods of reorganization and layoffs tied to broader business decisions. It is recommended to ask about recent turnover and stability in the team you are considering and to evaluate how the company communicated and supported impacted staff during any changes.

Overall Company Rating

Overall, Riverbed Technology is a company where technical professionals will find meaningful challenges and opportunities to work on enterprise networking problems. The company offers competitive compensation, solid benefits, and a practical culture focused on customer outcomes. Prospects should weigh team-specific leadership, stability, and day-to-day pace when evaluating roles. On balance, the company rates as a solid option for those who value technical depth and customer-focused product work.

Detailed Employee Ratings

3.5
Work-Life Balance
3
Compensation
3
Company Culture
3.5
Career Growth
3.5
Job Security

Filter Reviews

2 reviews found

Employee Reviews (2)

Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Riverbed Technology

4.0

Senior Software Engineer Review

EngineeringFull-timeHybrid
July 12, 2025

What I liked

Strong engineering focus and interesting work on network performance. My manager is supportive and the team collaborates well. Flexible hours and decent benefits make it easier to balance life and work. Riverbed's products and technical challenges are rewarding.

Areas for improvement

Compensation feels a bit below market for the Bay Area, and career progression can be slow after several reorganizations. Some internal processes are bureaucratic and approvals take time.

3.0

Technical Account Manager Review

Customer SuccessFull-timeRemote
March 3, 2025

What I liked

Good product portfolio and lots of customer-facing exposure. Remote-first culture in my team and flexible schedule helped with personal commitments. Colleagues are experienced and willing to help.

Areas for improvement

Frequent reorganizations and shifting priorities made long-term planning difficult. Promotions and raises were inconsistent — felt like politics sometimes mattered more than performance. Onboarding and internal communication could be improved.