So much potential with all the wrong talent - Anonymous employee Niantic Employee Review

2.0
11 Jan 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Has the privilege to run like a lean start up with the backing of Google -Engineering talent is bold, brilliant, and collaborative -Perks are great

Cons

-Hires for polymaths. Why are we looking for Operational Management that also know Python, Javascript, and has a BS? -No sense for scale. Internally, there's consistently chatter about how the company needs to move towards PRSS, as opposed to an over-indexing on engineering talent. We can have the world's best engineers, but if there's no sense of scope and scale, then they are floating around rudderless--bored and useless, there's a reason why attrition is high. -The Director-level leadership is constantly peacocking. In-fighting is rampant. There is a lack of focus on the folks they manage since most of their dedication is focused on besting their peers.

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Niantic Response
8y
Thank you for sharing. We had a chat about this. We agreed our managers should focus on the right areas. We do not require python in our operational managers. We will continue to watch for and prevent egos.

Explore other reviews about Niantic

5.0
20 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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
12 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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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