Leadership hurt itself in its confusion! - Anonymous employee Niantic Employee Review

2.0
May 5, 2023
Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Most individual contributors work hard to advance the product and technology. Cross department communication goes well. Compensation and benefits are decent. Most "boots on the ground" employees are empathetic and work together toward a common goal...

Cons

...however, the common goal constantly changes by the whims of leadership with no apparent pattern. Upper management seems exceptionally skilled at destroying morale. Everything is turned into a top priority fire drill. Projects in development are given impossible goals, then criticized when they do not reach them. Executives will solicit feedback on business decisions as a honey pot to identify and silence dissenters. As a result, middle management self-selects for people that parrot the current goal. One exec is well known for openly stating contempt for most individual contributors and tasking reports with vanity projects to inflate personal metrics. Another exec regularly reminds reports that they are replaceable with more passionate applicants and should be grateful to have a job. Rank-and-file employee morale is at an all time low, and it's not hard to see why.

Explore other reviews about Niantic

5.0
Jan 20, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

The people, the amazing office, the work life balance, the benefits, 401k match

Cons

Niantic had few flaws and none that come to mind currently

3.0
May 12, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Niantic has a unique mission and works on products that blend technology, gaming, community, and real-world exploration. The people are generally smart, passionate, and collaborative, and there are opportunities to work on creative projects with global impact. The company also offers a good learning environment for those interested in gaming, AR, live operations, and location-based products.

Cons

Priorities can shift frequently, which sometimes makes it difficult for teams to stay focused or understand how their work connects to the broader company strategy. Communication from leadership could be clearer, especially during periods of change. Some processes feel reactive rather than proactive, and cross-functional alignment can vary depending on the team.

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