AVL

Pros: Some team leads are genuinely good, especially if you're working on a core powertrain development project. They're technically sharp and can help you learn a lot as a Software Engineer. The hybrid work model is a decent perk.
Cons: Upper leadership feels really disconnected from the daily grind in the Plymouth, MI office. Decisions for e-mobility projects can get bogged down in a large corporate structure. It's hard to get clear answers or quick approvals.
Advice to Management: Try to empower middle management more and simplify approval processes. Be more transparent with company direction. Get out on the floor and talk to individual contributors, especially those on critical automotive R&D projects.

Pros: For a big corporate engineering firm like AVL, the hybrid model is decent. As a Software Engineer working on powertrain development, I get 2-3 days WFH most weeks, which is nice for avoiding the commute to the Plymouth, MI office.
Cons: The core hours are pretty strict, so you can't really shift your day much. If you're on an urgent project for automotive R&D, expect to be onsite more, which limits remote work options.
Advice to Management: Reconsider the strict core hours to allow for more genuine work flexibility, especially for roles that can be done remotely. Trust teams to manage their own schedules more.