I recently got an offer from Seagate. P4, business/non tech position, remote. During the interview, they talked about HAMR a lot. Is it a good time to join Seagate?
I do think storage business has a good future due to demand
27 replies (most recent on top)
@OP+1pitx9RI and your decision?
Go clean the septic system at hospital instead !
To learn how to survive in a dying company?
Put the crack pipe down and step away from the seagate job application.
My son worked in engineering for 12 years. It was good for the first 8. They were fined 300 million for their shady tactics and then the wheels came off.
NO!!
Run, fool,run!
despite some good people here, keep looking
If you figure 1/3 of your job satisfaction comes from comp, another third from the people you work with (including your boss), and the final third from the work itself, I would grade it C, C, D. Your mileage may vary depending on what group you're in and what skill set you have. There are still some good people at Seagate but the management is making it hard to stay. If you're in ASICs or FW, there is absolutely no reason to join a HDD company. This is advice I would give to my kids - not BS.
But if you follow any of the HR VPs on LinkedIn, you'd think Seagaters have the most fulfilling, supportive, educational and rewarding career anywhere
The magic konch says "No".
You should check with any LCO core team leader, they seem to have the crystal ball for these tough questions.
They absolutely hate the employees at this company.
No
As I used to tell the interns when their time was almost over, pick an up an coming company to invest your time in. When I started in this biz it was new and exciting. When we reached milestones, or when we got a product out, we would have a good celebration. This company does not do that any more and has not for quite a number of years now. This company used to have a policy of " we are the employer of choice" sadly this has degraded to more of a race to the bottom. Now the attitude from management is feel luck you have a job. The upper levels of management have made statements of I can get 5 Asian engineers for the price of one of you American engineers. Coders you are just typests so just put your head down and type. So unless you just want a short term with a company like this I would keep looking. Need to have thick skin as well to be able to tolerate the stress that is being applied by management to do more with less. I don't see working for this company as a very long term investment for one's self.
@fll+1pitx9RI like you, there are current employees here and we know full well the business is cyclical, but other problems exist
I worked for the company for a year. I really liked the people; however there were layoffs almost every quarter. I had to leave for my mental health. I am now in a much better position.
@OP+1pitx9RI surely you are kidding!! The storage industry is a mature commodity business given a life extension by the emergence of the data center. Though there are years left in this industry, it's neither exciting or a growth business. Don't know where you are getting your demand ideas. HDD demand peaked in 2010 at 651M, and last year was 166M. This decline was largely driven by the transition of mobile compute from HDD to flash. As data center drive TBs increase, total shipments will continue to slide. Atop all of this, currently the company isn't doing well. Salaries restored, yes, but who is to say that won't be cut next crisis. HAMR is progressing, but this hype train has been going on for years, so don't get too excited about it. Think long and hard before joining.
If you need a job, then it is a port in the storm. Just save your money and don't over extend yourself.
I was laid off recently, but had a good run. If you are laid off, expect about 2 weeks pay, nothing more.
If you don't need the money, or have other options, skip Seagate.
The salaries will be restored as promised, starting next month. It was a 6-month reduction. Su-ked but now over. Other financial issues remain (macroeconomic), but salaries being restored is reality.
I am more optimistic than the doomsayers. HAMR drives have done well in quals w CSPs and are ramping to volume beginning of this new cal year. AI use cases depend on data storage—bodes well in the long run. Shipments that matter are EB not units since units are getting bigger and bigger.
Run away quickly.
How important is your mental health? You will never see a promotion in 5 years. You will be overloaded with work. Threats of layoffs every quarter. Management just pledged to restore salary cuts in November (it has not actually happened yet... just more talk until it shows up). If you are desperate, accept the role. Please know that there are more financially stable companies with upside elsewhere. HAMR has been discussed for over 12 years. Vegas odds think Jesus might come back before HAMR goes to mass production.
Seagate’s financial state is at best dire. If you just need a paycheck to get buy until something better comes along then Seagate is fine. The HDD industry is sunsetting and with Seagate internally producing only HDD’s, you get the point. NRM has been losing talent at an alarming rate during the last quarter. Good luck on your job hunt!
TS/OP are you seriously 😳😳
Yeah, not so cyclic for the last 13 years: total unit sales are down 77% since 2010. Ability to increase drive capacity has stalled. HAMR used to present a positive future, but rumors are yields are poor, cost is high, and reliability is an open question. While cost of SSD still to high to completely replace HDD, it has taken a lot of market share. Don't take my word for it, do your own research.
This is the worst place to ask that question. Many people here are disgruntled employees. Most don’t work at Seagate. I would look at financial analysis and industry related articles.
I have been a two-decade employee. It has its ups and downs. Very cyclic business.