Vantaggi
The make a pretty good product and they are a large company with good resources. They “mean well” and will do anything they can to keep their one client happy. The people on the ground (anyone who is not a leader) is great. Very hard working and dedicated to the job. Very nice.
Svantaggi
This company is mostly like a sales branch of their Headquarters which is in China. And make no mistake, this is a Chinese communist owned company (40% share holders). Their C-level staff are actually standing members of the current National Communist Party. Some even hold very high level positions within the government. (This information is available on line, check google, wiki) Their US office considers anyone who isn’t from Mainland China “foreigners” and they have almost no diversification. The ratio is like 95% Chinese to 5% other. If you’re non-chinese expect to be used in every photo op so they can fake diversification. Every meeting is a mix of Mandarin and some English. Since they only hire Chinese Engineers expect that you will have to navigate different engineering styles (and ethics) compared to US standards. If you’re a non-mandarin speaker, expect to be left out of most conversations until something is decided and then you will be told what was decided. You only will be asked if they want your input, don’t expect to be included in the development of the decisions. This often leads to mistakes as they don’t have a full picture by excluding non-mandarin speakers. Their local CEO has no real authority. He’s really just a baby sitter and bean counter, so he spends his time approving any expense over $25. He will try to make judgement calls but the process of getting him to agree to anything, even something sensible by US standards, will take 2-3 hours of explaining and translation. He can be immediately overruled by other Chinese leaders. The poor guy sits in his office all day looking at his computer screen and rarely interacts with staff. The real power is the Business Group CEO from Mainland China. This guy speaks no English and trusts no Westerner in authority, but this isn’t a surprise when you find out he’s a sitting member of the Chinese National Congress - so there is no senior level managers from the US. If you are not from Mainland China, there is no room for growth into senior level positions. Believe it. All your engineering, supply and support will come out of China. Thus it mostly takes 24 hours to get feedback and results. All hardware testing and validation also is done in China and that takes a considerable amount time to get feedback. Also since this is a branch office, the priority for the HQ in China will always be their major clients there (BAT). It’s best to consider the US office as a pet project for them as they are not really interested in doing what is necessary to achieve growth. They have ONE U.S. client. They (might) state in your interview that they have a large U.S. client base but that will simply be a lie. They have ONE major U.S. client and pockets of occasional sales elsewhere in the U.S. This company is 100% mainland Chinese work culture. Long hours, weekends, evenings and calls from home and while you are on vacation are necessary. Since so much of what is dictated by their HQ happens during China business hours it’s important to be available after 5pm to talk with your Chinese colleagues. Wechat is highly used and at all hours. The leadership and management style is 100% Chinese communist culture. I can’t stress this part enough. You really need to understand that there is no western ideology here. It’s highly political and under the table backstabbing. There is never a manager who admits a mistake as that would make them “lose face” - They drive teams like pawns for manipulation and position. There is no outwardly confrontational, it’s all subterfuge. To be outspoken and rise above is to have your head cut off. Their view of great employees comes down to loyalty and sacrifice. Be extremely careful of their HR department. This is all based out of Chinese HQ and they take a very communists Chinese style too. They support managers and leadership, not the staff. Concerns and issues you might raise about your boss will likely be reported to your boss. Blind loyalty and a willing servant is what is expected of you.