IBM Senior Test Specialist Salaries in India (Updated 2025)

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.

Likes

Lot of projects available to engage people. More Onsite opportunity .

Dislikes

Skills are under utilized due to project pressure. Salary is low compared to market standard and appraisal takes lot of time. Insurance policy is poor.

Likes

Highly flexible work culture.

Dislikes

No Appraisal or Promotion. Low single digit or NO salary hike. No clear HR policy. Too bureacartic and dependent on People Manager. No clear road map to switch between technology or the option is provided. Better for old age people.

Likes

Work culture and Work life balance. Ample of scope to learn new technologies and have growth within the company. Management always encourage to implement new ideas and innovation. As a company IBM provides healthy atmosphere to work and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

Dislikes

Poor remuneration compared to the market, disparity in salary between new joiners and existing employees. Promotion cycles are uncertain.

Likes

Joined 1 year back couldnt find any likes yet

Dislikes

...you hear IBM they talk about flexibility, But now "NO" there is no flexibilty No salary increments for promotion also you have to struggle alot