Should I join this compnay?

[embetter]

Hi All,

I have got a job offer from Infosys and I am contemplating whether to join or not. I know that there is a separate thread about Infosys offers and people are either eagerly waiting for their offers or very happy that they got their offer letters.

I have a total of around 13 years of experience (close to 5 years in the US) and most of my experience is in Embedded Software Development. Though I am mostly happy with my current company (which is a small company), I am concerned about growth opportunities. Sometimes, I get a feeling of stagnation.

Following are some of my questions. I would really appreciate your comments/suggestions/recommendations for me on this.

a) Given the above details, is it a good idea to join a large company like Infosys. I am concerned about their focus on Embedded Software as that is not their main area of focus.
b) Can people on this forum provide more information about the focus of Infosys on Embedded Software development?
c) In the offer given to me, there is around 60% of salary going into variable pay. Is that normal? And, what is the previous record of paying 100% or at least 90% of the variable pay. If the variable pay becomes 0%, it becomes really tough.
d) How is the importance for Technology related roles in Infosys? Generally, Infosys is seen as a Application software development company. And, I have not heard about Technology talks from Infosys. But, I don't know the inside story. For all know, they may have big plans in this technology. And, I don't want to miss that because of less (or unknown) information. I am trying to make an informed decision.
e) I hear lot of bad news and employees bashing Infosys left and right. Is that something to worry about? Because, I know that every company will face this kind of problem when they make some changes to the existing rules and it gets out of proportion for a company employing more than 100K people.

I am not overly concerned about the salary and perks. But, I want to make sure that I will be able to work in the same technology and also have good growth prospects. Please give me your suggestions/recommendations.

Embetter.

[ahirman]

a) Given the above details, is it a good idea to join a large company like Infosys. I am concerned about their focus on Embedded Software as that is not their main area of focus: - Valid concern. Embedded s/w is not the key focus area in Infosys. Opportunities to grow in profession and learn more will thus be restricted as compared to other companies whose focus is embedded s/w development.
b) Can people on this forum provide more information about the focus of Infosys on Embedded Software development? - From what I know they have very little focus on it and it used to be a HBU but has since been merged with some vertical. Check in Infosys website abotut different verticals and locate the practice. Then check for the organization chart and also check the quality of papers/blogs in the domain to get a better idea.
c) In the offer given to me, there is around 60% of salary going into variable pay. Is that normal? And, what is the previous record of paying 100% or at least 90% of the variable pay. If the variable pay becomes 0%, it becomes really tough. - The ultimate payment will be dependent on multiple factors including person, vertical/horizontal, and company performance. Will usually fare around 90-100% for top performers. for average performer it would be 60-70%
d) How is the importance for Technology related roles in Infosys? Generally, Infosys is seen as a Application software development company. And, I have not heard about Technology talks from Infosys. But, I don't know the inside story. For all know, they may have big plans in this technology. And, I don't want to miss that because of less (or unknown) information. I am trying to make an informed decision. - It all depends on the domain/technology/platform. Point 2 will answer this question too.
e) I hear lot of bad news and employees bashing Infosys left and right. Is that something to worry about? Because, I know that every company will face this kind of problem when they make some changes to the existing rules and it gets out of proportion for a company employing more than 100K people. - Correct individual experience will always vary. Nothing much to worry about if you are in right role/position

[gappo]

Hi embetter,
Congrats on the offer! Can you please give some info about the role/designation offered, and the approx salary? That will help lots of junta of similar experience here...

[embetter]

a) Given the above details, is it a good idea to join a large company like Infosys. I am concerned about their focus on Embedded Software as that is not their main area of focus: - Valid concern. Embedded s/w is not the key focus area in Infosys. Opportunities to grow in profession and learn more will thus be restricted as compared to other companies whose focus is embedded s/w development.
b) Can people on this forum provide more information about the focus of Infosys on Embedded Software development? - From what I know they have very little focus on it and it used to be a HBU but has since been merged with some vertical. Check in Infosys website abotut different verticals and locate the practice. Then check for the organization chart and also check the quality of papers/blogs in the domain to get a better idea.
c) In the offer given to me, there is around 60% of salary going into variable pay. Is that normal? And, what is the previous record of paying 100% or at least 90% of the variable pay. If the variable pay becomes 0%, it becomes really tough. - The ultimate payment will be dependent on multiple factors including person, vertical/horizontal, and company performance. Will usually fare around 90-100% for top performers. for average performer it would be 60-70%
d) How is the importance for Technology related roles in Infosys? Generally, Infosys is seen as a Application software development company. And, I have not heard about Technology talks from Infosys. But, I don't know the inside story. For all know, they may have big plans in this technology. And, I don't want to miss that because of less (or unknown) information. I am trying to make an informed decision. - It all depends on the domain/technology/platform. Point 2 will answer this question too.
e) I hear lot of bad news and employees bashing Infosys left and right. Is that something to worry about? Because, I know that every company will face this kind of problem when they make some changes to the existing rules and it gets out of proportion for a company employing more than 100K people. - Correct individual experience will always vary. Nothing much to worry about if you are in right role/position

Ahirman, thanks for your inputs and answering each question. I will go through the verticals and see if I can find more information. I am also thinking of writing to the HR team directly and seeking their inputs. However, I thought it will be good to get information from current/past employees from Infy. Are you a current / past employee of Infy by any chance?

[embetter]

Hi embetter,
Congrats on the offer! Can you please give some info about the role/designation offered, and the approx salary? That will help lots of junta of similar experience here...

Gappo,

Role is Technology Architect and designation is Senior Technology Architect. Salary is average...not a big number. But, like I said, I am more concerned about the Technology than the Salary. Are you past/current employee of Infy? I am eager to hear from past/current employees of Infy on this forum.

[ahirman]

No I am not but close relative (BIL) was once. Long back I talked to him about opportunity for my friend (who is in ST now) who was very interested in this space. I found the practice and its called PLM (product lifecycle management). Its part of engineering services HBU. They provide services to different verticals. Can you check if this is same practice in your offer.

[gappo]

Gappo,

Role is Technology Architect and designation is Senior Technology Architect. Salary is average...not a big number. But, like I said, I am more concerned about the Technology than the Salary. Are you past/current employee of Infy? I am eager to hear from past/current employees of Infy on this forum.

Thanks for the info!

No, I'm not a current/past employee of Infy. I am in a senior IC role at Microsoft now, but have spent a good chunk of my career in Embedded Systems - all of it in product companies. There are tons of product companies focusing on embedded systems in Bangalore (perhaps more than anywhere outside of Silicon Valley) - Broadcom, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Samsung, Philips, ST Ericson, NXP, HP, Motorola, TI, Trident, Phoenix, and many more. Why not look at those - they are in dire need of senior folks. Feel free to PM me if you need a referral in those.

PS - I would still be glad if you can give the salary ballpark - that info always helps junta (incl me) make career decisions,

[embetter]

No I am not but close relative (BIL) was once. Long back I talked to him about opportunity for my friend (who is in ST now) who was very interested in this space. I found the practice and its called PLM (product lifecycle management). Its part of engineering services HBU. They provide services to different verticals. Can you check if this is same practice in your offer.

They did not mention anything about the Business Unit or the vertical in my offer letter. However, the interview letter mentioned PE-SI. I think PE stands for Product Engineering and I think heard someone there (either the HR or the interviewer) mentioning about Product Engineering. I am trying to check more on this at: http://www.infosys.com/offerings/engineering-services/product-engineering/service-offerings/Pages/product-designed.aspx

Thanks for suggesting this. I will also talk to the HR to find out more. The dilemma is also because I have applied in other places also and hoping that I can get it in one of the core Embedded companies. Infy was the first one to call for an interview and offer. So, I don't know if I am going to get calls from other companies and hence is the dilemma.

[embetter]

Thanks for the info!

No, I'm not a current/past employee of Infy. I am in a senior IC role at Microsoft now, but have spent a good chunk of my career in Embedded Systems - all of it in product companies. There are tons of product companies focusing on embedded systems in Bangalore (perhaps more than anywhere outside of Silicon Valley) - Broadcom, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Samsung, Philips, ST Ericson, NXP, HP, Motorola, TI, Trident, Phoenix, and many more. Why not look at those - they are in dire need of senior folks. Feel free to PM me if you need a referral in those.

PS - I would still be glad if you can give the salary ballpark - that info always helps junta (incl me) make career decisions,

Gappo,

Yes, you are right, there are a lot of them in Bangalore. I applied only to a few of them who advertised in the newspaper. I have not tried extensively. And, Infy called me with in a couple of weeks and offered with in 3 weeks after the interview. In this 3 weeks, I have sent my Resume to some consultants and waiting to hear from them. I will send you a PM about my salary details. It is not a very comfortable feeling discussing salary in the open forum though we are all anonymous here.

[embetter]

Gappo,

Yes, you are right, there are a lot of them in Bangalore. I applied only to a few of them who advertised in the newspaper. I have not tried extensively. And, Infy called me with in a couple of weeks and offered with in 3 weeks after the interview. In this 3 weeks, I have sent my Resume to some consultants and waiting to hear from them. I will send you a PM about my salary details. It is not a very comfortable feeling discussing salary in the open forum though we are all anonymous here.

I was trying to send a private message. But, it was not enabled. I read a FAQ which says that they would enable it after I have posted 10 useful messages. I will send a message to the admin and try if I can get the feature enabled ASAP. I have received a couple of private messages already, but unable to reply to any of them currently.