IBM SDE (Software Development Engineer) salaries in Bangalore / Bengaluru (Updated 2025)

Likes

Working in IBM is a good opportunity. Excellent work culture and the have the opportunity of working with super cooperative team. Did not faced job security issues since the domain is product development. IBM tries to take care of its employees. Excellent opportunities for Skill Development and Career growth. WFH facilities and Work Life balance is the key and most important IBM puts lot of trust on employees. Management is good and cooperative. Most important, local managers listen to the employees and does try their best to resolve the issues. The hikes are decent and regular. IBM takes care of employees, both physical and mental health is given most priority.

Dislikes

Salary structure is little below the market and technology standards. Hikes are regular but not very much satisfactory. No travel options for product development. It takes time for career growth. The cafeteria is good but everything is paid. No additional benefits. Also the medical insurance is not very satisfactory. Although company increased limits and added features during pandemic.

Likes

Work life balance, salary and benefits, no pressure. My sincere advise, don’t leave IBM until it is so much necessary you to move out. IBM is far better than any company outside.

Dislikes

No, I don’t think of negatives and dislikes about it.

Likes

Nothing, old employees staying in the company in their comfort zone 14-15 years with big ego.

Dislikes

Ibm policy No salary increase Nothing good No work life balance No good projects all are clean up activity No job roles peoples are out anywhere One of the worst workforce/resource management team i have seen in my exp. Even though you get client appreciation you won't get notified or awarded by ibm Worst project mangers and program mangers

Likes

The hire at a high salary thenk keep you on bench. Then they ask you to resign as you are on bench. Don't resign.

Dislikes

They don't have any project or requirement. They just hire you to fill their bench. You will get project interviews but none of them will hire you even if your interview was good. And if the interview was bad they will send that review to your WFM which they can later use to justify ending your employment.

Likes

Salary is decent in India Software Labs, equivalent of Tier 2 PBCs. RSUs are also given to employees who perform well. IBM has turned its tech suite around after the RedHat acquisition, even for z/mainframe products. Newer tech stack is being implemented at breakneck pace, enough to overwhelm senior developers as well. Lots of opportunities to learn new stuff, including agentic AI. Job security is better than other PBCs for employees who perform well, but expect PIPs.

Dislikes

You will get stuck in one job band for a very long time. Promotions from 7B to 8 are very hard in particular. Also, IBM India is the only entity among all IBM entities to have A and B subbands till job level 7 (tech lead), effectively prohibiting your growth to a decision-making position for a longer time. Indian management, especially managers who have moved laterally from IBM Consulting, is extremely orthodox, and technically inept. If your product delivery is controlled by an onshore lab (U.S., U.K., Germany, etc), expect the Indian management to have no understanding of what it is that you are doing on a day-to-day basis, and to be at loggerheads with the onshore managers. You, an ordinary employee, will no doubt be caught in the crossfire.