VMware Employees Reviews, Feedback, Testimonials

Employee Testimonials

You will hear a mix of voices from people working there. Some say they love the technical pedigree and the chance to work on infrastructure that powers enterprise clouds — “you learn a lot fast,” one engineer might say. Others note that teams can be siloed and that day-to-day experience really depends on the manager and product area. Sales and customer-facing roles often highlight generous commissions and strong product-market fit, while R&D folks praise challenging problems but sometimes complain about shifting priorities. If you are researching working at VMware, expect honest praise for the technology and occasional frustration with bureaucracy.

Company Culture

Company culture at VMware is generally collaborative and engineering-driven. There is a strong emphasis on customer outcomes and technical excellence, and many employees describe a respectful, inclusive atmosphere. That said, organizational changes over recent years have affected the vibe in some places — some teams feel entrepreneurial, others are more process-heavy. Diversity and inclusion groups are active, and the company tends to promote cross-team knowledge sharing through tech talks and internal meetups.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance at VMware varies by role and team. Work-life balance at VMware is often cited as better than at many fast-growth startups, particularly in non-sales roles. You will find flexible hours and reasonable expectations on many teams, but during product launches or quarter-ends some employees report longer stretches of intensive work. If you value predictability, try to get clarity on team cadence during interviews.

Job Security

Job security has been mixed in recent years. There have been corporate restructurings following acquisitions that impacted headcount. That said, many core engineering and customer-critical roles remain stable, and teams aligned with cloud, security, and multi-cloud management are generally in demand. Overall, you should assess role-specific risk and stay aware of company direction, but core technical skills remain portable.

Leadership and Management

Leadership is experienced and historically product-focused, with executives who understand enterprise software markets. At the same time, major strategic shifts and external pressures have sometimes led to rapid re-prioritization. Communication from senior leaders is regular, but some employees feel more context could be shared during transitions. Expect leaders to be measured and metric-driven; they will emphasize outcomes and customer impact.

Manager Reviews

Manager experiences are highly team-dependent. Many managers are described as supportive mentors who invest in career growth and provide clear goals. Others adopt a more hands-off or process-driven approach, which can feel isolating for some. It is advisable to probe manager style in interviews: ask about frequency of 1:1s, feedback cadence, and how performance is measured.

Learning & Development

Investing in employee skills is a priority. You will find internal training paths, certifications, and frequent tech talks. Formal learning programs and mentorship opportunities are available, and some teams have budgets for conferences and external courses. There is also room for learning on the job, especially when moving between product areas. Overall, the company supports continuous development but you may need to advocate for specific learning budgets.

Opportunities for Promotions

Promotion cycles are structured and tied to performance reviews and business needs. There are clear leveling frameworks for technical tracks and management tracks; however, progression speed varies by function and business unit. People who take on cross-functional projects and demonstrable impact tend to move up faster. Patience and relationship-building help when pursuing promotions.

Salary Ranges

Salaries vary widely by location, role, and level. As a rough guide in the U.S.: entry-level engineers may start around $110,000–$140,000 base, mid-level around $140,000–$200,000, and senior/lead roles commonly exceed $200,000. Sales roles have differing bases depending on quota and geography. These are approximate and will change with market conditions; total compensation should be evaluated including equity, bonus, and benefits.

Bonuses & Incentives

Bonuses and incentives are part of compensation, especially for sales and senior engineering roles. There are annual performance bonuses and equity grants (RSUs) for many employees, though the size depends on level and business unit. Sales teams receive commission structures and accelerators tied to targets. Incentives are meant to align employees with company goals.

Health and Insurance Benefits

Health benefits are competitive and include medical, dental, and vision plans with options for dependents. There are mental health resources, wellness programs, and flexible spending accounts or HSAs depending on region. Parental leave and family support benefits are offered, but exact provisions differ by country and local policy. Overall, benefits are in line with market expectations for large tech employers.

Employee Engagement and Events

Employee engagement is supported through internal communities, hackathons, mentorship networks, and regular all-hands or town hall meetings. Teams often have offsites and social events, though frequency can vary. Employee resource groups are active and contribute to cultural programming, networking, and recruiting efforts.

Remote Work Support

Remote work is supported, with many roles offering hybrid or fully remote options depending on the team and location. The company provides tools and stipends for home office setups in many regions. However, some product teams require closer in-person collaboration and may expect more onsite presence. Remote policies tend to be pragmatic rather than rigid.

Average Working Hours

Average working hours are generally within the standard full-time range (40–45 hours per week) for many roles. Peak periods around releases, quarters, or critical customer engagements can push hours higher temporarily. The company emphasizes output over face time, but actual hours will vary by role and team rhythm.

Attrition Rate & Layoff History

Attrition has been moderate, with turnover influenced by market movements and organizational changes. There were notable layoffs during periods of restructuring after acquisitions in recent years. Prospective employees should research the current business climate and ask teams about stability during interviews.

Overall Company Rating

Overall, the company is rated as a solid place to build enterprise software skills and advance a tech career. Strengths include mature products, strong technical communities, and competitive benefits. Areas to watch include organizational change and team variability. Overall rating: 3.9 out of 5 — a good match for people seeking stable, complex technical work and who are comfortable navigating occasional company-wide shifts.