What's It Really Like to Work at Kyndryl?
Explore working at Kyndryl, a Most Loved Workplace®. Review our guide on pay, benefits, culture, and the hiring process to see if it's your next move.
Working at Kyndryl means joining a massive global IT infrastructure firm born from one of the largest corporate spinoffs in history. As a certified Most Loved Workplace®, the company emphasizes a culture defined as flat, fast, and focused, moving away from its IBM legacy. Employees manage mission-critical systems for Fortune 500 clients, with a strong focus on technical upskilling and obtaining certifications from partners like AWS, Google, and Microsoft. While compensation is competitive for the IT services industry, the primary draw is the opportunity to gain expertise in complex, large-scale technology environments. The experience is shaped by the ongoing transformation of a new public company building its own identity.
- Founded
- 2021
- HQ
- New York, New York
- Employees
- 80000
- Industry
- IT Infrastructure Services
- Ownership
- Public
- Ticker
- NYSE:KD
- Kyndryl is a certified Most Loved Workplace® that spun off from IBM's managed infrastructure services business in 2021.
- The company employs approximately 80,000 people globally and focuses on designing, building, and managing complex IT systems for large enterprises.
- Career development at Kyndryl heavily emphasizes technical certifications, with major investments in training for AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
- Kyndryl's culture is self-described as 'The Kyndryl Way': restless, empathetic, and devoted, with a structure that aims to be flat, fast, and focused.
- As a new public company (NYSE: KD), Kyndryl faces risks related to establishing its brand, intense competition, and executing its post-spinoff strategy.
Working at Kyndryl means joining a massive global IT infrastructure firm born from one of the largest corporate spinoffs in history. As a certified Most Loved Workplace®, the company emphasizes a culture defined as flat, fast, and focused, moving away from its IBM legacy. Employees manage mission-critical systems for Fortune 500 clients, with a strong focus on technical upskilling and obtaining certifications from partners like AWS, Google, and Microsoft. While compensation is competitive for the IT services industry, the primary draw is the opportunity to gain expertise in complex, large-scale technology environments. The experience is shaped by the ongoing transformation of a new public company building its own identity.
What is it actually like to work at Kyndryl?
Kyndryl is the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, a company born from the 2021 spinoff of IBM's Global Technology Services managed infrastructure business. With approximately 80,000 employees, the company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For a candidate, this means working on a massive scale, often with Fortune 100 and 500 clients in industries like financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The core of the work involves ensuring the security and resiliency of these vast systems. This isn't just a product offering; it's the daily reality for many Kyndryl employees. Roles often involve identity and access management, threat detection, data protection, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery. The work is high-stakes and requires a deep technical skillset to help clients recover quickly from disruptions and safeguard their data.
Culturally, Kyndryl is on a mission to define itself separately from its former parent company. Leadership promotes "The Kyndryl Way," a framework built on being restless, empathetic, and devoted. Operationally, this translates to a stated goal of being "flat, fast, and focused"—a direct response to the perceived bureaucracy of a larger, older organization. This positioning is supported by its certification as a Most Loved Workplace®, an accomplishment indicating high employee satisfaction and a commitment to creating a positive environment. For potential employees, this signals an opportunity to join a large, stable enterprise that is actively trying to foster the agility of a smaller company.
Source: The Kyndryl Way | Source: Kyndryl 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) | Source: Kyndryl Achieves Most Loved Workplace Certification
How does Kyndryl pay compare?
Kyndryl's compensation structure is designed to be competitive within the global IT services and consulting industry. As a public company, it must attract and retain top technical talent to compete with other large-scale outsourcers and cloud service providers. Compensation packages typically consist of a base salary, and for many roles, a performance-based bonus component.
Based on user-reported data from sites like Glassdoor and Payscale, salaries at Kyndryl align with other large enterprise IT firms. However, they may not always match the top-tier compensation offered by big tech product companies (FAANG). The value proposition for many employees is the combination of stable employment, exposure to a wide range of technologies, and significant investment in training and certification, which enhances long-term earning potential.
Here’s how user-reported salaries for common roles at Kyndryl compare to national medians published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
| Role Comparison | Kyndryl (User-Reported Average) | U.S. Median (BLS) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | ~$115,000 / year (total pay) | $169,570 / year (for 'Computer and Information Systems Managers') | Kyndryl roles may differ from the broader, more senior definition used by the BLS. |
| Infrastructure Specialist | ~$83,000 / year (base pay) | $95,790 / year (for 'Network and Computer Systems Administrators') | The BLS median is a close national benchmark for a similar role profile. |
Note: User-reported data from sources like Glassdoor is an estimate and can vary widely by location, experience, and specific role. BLS data is from May 2023.
It's crucial for candidates to evaluate their total compensation package, including benefits, bonus potential, and the non-monetary value of the training and experience offered. For many technical professionals, the hands-on experience with diverse, enterprise-grade systems at Kyndryl is a significant career accelerator.
Source: Kyndryl Salaries on Glassdoor (User-Reported) | Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
What benefits and time-off does Kyndryl offer?
Kyndryl provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of its global workforce. As a large enterprise, its offerings are robust and competitive, covering key areas of life and work.
Key components of the U.S. benefits package generally include:
- Health and Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. The company also offers life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage to provide financial protection against unforeseen events.
- Financial and Retirement: A 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company matching contribution, helping employees save for the future.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): A generous PTO policy that includes vacation days, holidays, and sick/personal time. Specific allotments vary by role, tenure, and location.
- Parental Leave: Kyndryl offers paid leave for new parents to support them as they grow their families.
- Flexibility: Depending on the role and client needs, Kyndryl supports flexible work arrangements. Many roles are either remote-friendly or hybrid, reflecting a modern approach to work-life integration.
- Wellness Programs: The company offers various resources and programs aimed at supporting employees' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This can include access to mental health services, fitness challenges, and wellness apps.
- Professional Development: Beyond formal training, Kyndryl supports its employees' growth through tuition assistance programs and other educational benefits.
Source: Kyndryl Careers & Benefits
Culture, leadership, and DEI at Kyndryl
Since its separation from IBM, Kyndryl has been deliberate in forging its own distinct culture under the leadership of CEO Martin J. Schroeter. The cultural cornerstone is "The Kyndryl Way," which emphasizes being restless in the pursuit of innovation, empathetic to the needs of clients and colleagues, and devoted to shared success. This philosophy is intended to power a company that is flat (less hierarchy), fast (more agile), and focused (clear on its mission).
This ethos is a direct effort to empower employees and foster a more entrepreneurial spirit than was possible within its former corporate structure. Being named a Most Loved Workplace® suggests these efforts are resonating with employees, who report high satisfaction and a strong connection to the company's values.
Kyndryl’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (IDE) is a central part of its cultural identity. The company has established a global IDE Council and supports a wide range of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), known as Kyndryl Inclusion Networks. These groups provide community and advocacy for various employee populations, including:
- Access-Ability Kyndryl Network (for employees with disabilities and allies)
- Kyndryl Pride Network (for LGBTQ+ employees and allies)
- Kyndryl Women's Network
- Culturally Diverse Peoples Network
These initiatives are designed to build a workplace where all "Kyndryls" feel they belong and have an equal opportunity to succeed. The company regularly reports on its progress and sets public goals related to representation and inclusion, holding itself accountable for building a diverse workforce from the ground up.
Source: Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at Kyndryl | Source: The Kyndryl Way
The hiring and interview process at Kyndryl
Kyndryl's hiring process is structured to identify candidates with the technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit to thrive in a fast-paced, client-facing environment. While the exact steps can vary by role and region, candidates can generally expect a multi-stage process.
- Online Application: The process begins by submitting an application for a specific role on the Kyndryl Careers Page. Job descriptions are typically detailed, outlining required skills and certifications.
- Recruiter Screening: A recruiter will conduct an initial call to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role. This is also an opportunity for you to ask preliminary questions about the company and the position.
- Technical and Behavioral Interviews: For most roles, you will meet with members of the team, including potential peers and the hiring manager. These interviews often mix technical and behavioral questions.
- Technical: You may be asked to solve problems related to your domain, such as network architecture, cloud migration, or security protocols.
- Behavioral: Expect questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to understand how you have handled past work challenges.
- Panel or Final Interview: A final round may involve a panel of interviewers or a senior leader. This stage focuses on assessing your strategic thinking, communication skills, and overall fit with "The Kyndryl Way."
Throughout the process, interviewers look for evidence of being "restless, empathetic, and devoted." Demonstrating a passion for technology, a customer-centric mindset, and an ability to collaborate effectively will be key to success.
Source: Kyndryl Careers Page | Source: Kyndryl Interview Experiences on Glassdoor (User-Reported)
Career growth and learning at Kyndryl
Career growth at Kyndryl is intrinsically linked to skills development. In the rapidly evolving world of IT infrastructure, continuous learning is not just a benefit; it is a core job requirement. Kyndryl has made massive investments to ensure its workforce is at the forefront of technological change.
The company has formed strategic alliances with the largest players in the cloud and technology space, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). A key corporate objective is to rapidly increase the number of advanced certifications held by its employees. In 2022, Kyndryl announced a landmark effort with AWS to train and certify over 10,000 employees, demonstrating a deep commitment to upskilling.
For an employee, this translates into tangible opportunities:
- Paid Certifications: Kyndryl provides the resources and often covers the cost for employees to gain valuable industry certifications.
- Hands-On Experience: Working with a diverse portfolio of global clients provides exposure to different industries, technologies, and challenges, accelerating learning far beyond what a textbook can offer.
- Internal Mobility: As a large, global organization, Kyndryl offers opportunities for employees to move between projects, business units, and even geographic locations.
- Kyndryl Vital: This is Kyndryl's co-creation experience where employees work directly with clients and partners to design and build innovative solutions, providing unique design thinking and problem-solving experience.
Advancement at Kyndryl is tied to both performance and expertise. The more skills you acquire and the more value you deliver to clients, the more opportunities for leadership and specialization become available.
Source: Kyndryl and AWS Announce Strategic Partnership | Source: Kyndryl and Google Cloud Announce Partnership
Risks, criticisms, and what to watch
No workplace is perfect, and candidates should have a clear-eyed view of the challenges and risks associated with working at Kyndryl. As a young public company created from a massive corporate spinoff, it faces unique pressures.
Business Risks: As detailed in their annual reports, Kyndryl operates in a highly competitive market against both established players and nimble new entrants. A primary challenge is successfully executing its post-spinoff strategy, which involves modernizing its service delivery, building its own brand equity distinct from IBM, and achieving sustained profitability. The transition is complex, and the company's long-term success is not guaranteed.
Employee Criticisms: Analyzing verified employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor reveals some recurring themes. Common criticisms include:
- Lingering Bureaucracy: While the company aspires to be "flat and fast," some employees report that remnants of old processes and hierarchy from the IBM era can slow down decision-making.
- High Pressure: The client-facing, mission-critical nature of the work can lead to long hours and high-pressure situations, particularly during system outages or major project deadlines.
- Compensation Gaps: Some employees feel that compensation, while competitive for IT services, lags behind what they could earn at top product-focused technology companies.
These points are not necessarily reasons to avoid Kyndryl, but they are important factors to consider. Prospective employees should use the interview process to ask targeted questions about team culture, work-life balance, and the specific challenges of the role to ensure it aligns with their career goals and work style.
Source: Kyndryl 2024 Annual Report Risk Factors (Form 10-K) | Source: Kyndryl Employee Reviews on Glassdoor
Most Loved Workplaces® context
Best Practice Institute certifies companies where employees are the happiest and most satisfied at work. This recognition is based on the proprietary SPARK framework, which evaluates Systemic Collaboration, a Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness. With a network of over 1,800 certified companies and 2.8 million employees, the data shows that Most Loved Workplaces® have 48% higher employee retention and see 4× higher revenue growth than their industry peers. Furthermore, 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, demonstrating a deep commitment to their organizations.
How we researched this report
This report was researched and written by the Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our analysis is based on Kyndryl's public statements, SEC filings, official career and benefits pages, reputable media coverage, and aggregated user-reported data from sources like Glassdoor, with all sources cited for transparency. Our methodology is designed to provide candidates with a comprehensive and objective overview of the employee experience. You can learn more about our process at /methodology.
Sources
- The Kyndryl Way — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Kyndryl Achieves Most Loved Workplace Certification — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Salaries on Glassdoor (User-Reported) — Glassdoor
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Kyndryl Careers & Benefits — Kyndryl
- Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at Kyndryl — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Interview Experiences on Glassdoor (User-Reported) — Glassdoor
- Kyndryl and AWS Announce Strategic Partnership — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl and Google Cloud Announce Partnership — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl 2024 Annual Report Risk Factors (Form 10-K) — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Kyndryl Employee Reviews on Glassdoor — Glassdoor
Quick answers
Researched and edited by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. See our methodology.