Positive reviews through executive coaxing - Anonymous employee Calix Employee Review

1.0
1 Jul 2020
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A lot of talented hard working people work there. The pay is decend and so are the benefits. Bonus is also paid out often.

Cons

Do not fall for this high rating, this does NOT reflect what Calix is actually like. The executive team is essentially asking employees to go on glassdoor and "show how much you love working here" which is why it has gone from a 3.6 to 4.7 in just a couple months (notice the massive surge in 5.0's). As for working there, prepare for constant restructuring , poor interdepartmental communication, no rasie/bonus structure (you may or may not get a raise that year depending on whether or not your manager feels like it). Mismanaged yearly/quarterly review system that changes all the time. Increasing amounts of cronyism. Poor to no vision from middle management. Product marketing takes precedence over product quality. If you join engineering prepare for your voice to not be heard; 'you get paid to be an engineer, not give opinions'. Saw plenty of talent leave out of frustration with the direction of the company (or lack thereof).

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Calix Response
5y
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We value your feedback as we do all employee feedback. We believe employee input is a key factor to our success, so we often reach out to our teams to ask for their opinion. Whether it is through one of our pulse surveys, team discussions, one on one conversations, focus groups, or other internal channels, hearing from the team is an important component of our culture. As we transformed to a software and cloud company we reorganized teams and made several adjustments to programs. We agree that we need to do a better job when communicating these types of changes as well as make clearer the purpose of the changes. We strive to provide an environment where all team members feel valued, heard, treated fairly and respected. While we agree there is always room for improvement, we are proud of our culture here at Calix. Please feel free to contact me directly if you would like to provide further information on your feedback. Thank you again for sharing your perspective.

Explore other reviews about Calix

5.0
2 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Strong collaborative culture, talented teams, flexible work environment, and opportunities to contribute across multiple functions. Leadership encourages innovation, continuous improvement, and cross-functional partnerships.

Cons

Some initiatives may take longer to implement because of multiple approval layers.

5.0
24 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Calix offers a highly collaborative, customer‑first environment where strong cross‑functional partnerships are genuinely valued. The culture encourages ownership, accountability, and proactive problem‑solving, especially when supporting high‑impact customers and complex initiatives. Leadership is accessible and supportive, and there’s a real emphasis on continuous improvement, process refinement, and professional growth. If you enjoy meaningful work, transparency, and being trusted to make decisions that positively impact both customers and the business, Calix is a great place to build and grow your career.

Cons

As with many fast‑growing, customer‑focused organizations, the pace at Calix can be demanding, particularly during peak periods or when managing complex, cross‑functional initiatives. Processes and tools are continuously evolving, which can occasionally create ambiguity and require adaptability. Aligning across multiple teams and priorities sometimes takes persistence, and success often depends on being proactive, detail‑oriented, and comfortable navigating change. That said, these challenges tend to come with opportunities for visibility, impact, and growth.

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Calix Response
2w
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you’ve experienced Calix as a collaborative, customer‑first environment with strong cross-functional partnerships and a culture that values ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement. It’s especially meaningful to see recognition of our focus on transparency, professional growth, and empowering employees to make impactful decisions.We also hear your thoughtful feedback on the realities of a fast-growing, evolving organization. As we scale, ensuring clarity amid changing processes, maintaining strong alignment across teams, and supporting sustainable workloads are all critical priorities.Thank you again for your feedback.
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