What's It Really Like to Work at Kyndryl?
Explore an inside look at working at Kyndryl. We analyze company culture, salaries, employee benefits, and the interview process to help you succeed.
Working at Kyndryl offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a massive IT infrastructure services company during a period of intense transformation. Spun off from IBM in 2021, the company is focused on establishing a new, more agile culture—The Kyndryl Way—centered on being flat, fast, and focused. Employees, known as 'Kyndryls,' manage mission-critical systems for global clients, with deep expertise in cloud, data, and security. While the role comes with the scale and complexity of a large enterprise, it also presents a chance for significant impact and career growth in a company actively building its identity.
- Founded
- 2021
- HQ
- New York, New York
- Employees
- 80000
- Industry
- IT Infrastructure Services
- Ownership
- Public
- Ticker
- NYSE:KD
- Kyndryl is a large, publicly-traded IT infrastructure services company with approximately 80,000 employees globally, spun off from IBM in 2021.
- The company is certified as a Most Loved Workplace®, reflecting a C-suite commitment to building a positive, employee-centric culture distinct from its IBM legacy.
- Compensation at Kyndryl is generally reported as competitive, with a strong emphasis on roles in multi-cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and data services.
- Employee experience is defined by the company's ongoing transformation, offering opportunities to work on complex, large-scale projects alongside the challenges of organizational change.
- Kyndryl heavily invests in technical upskilling, offering certifications with partners like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to keep skills current.
Working at Kyndryl offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a massive IT infrastructure services company during a period of intense transformation. Spun off from IBM in 2021, the company is focused on establishing a new, more agile culture—The Kyndryl Way—centered on being flat, fast, and focused. Employees, known as 'Kyndryls,' manage mission-critical systems for global clients, with deep expertise in cloud, data, and security. While the role comes with the scale and complexity of a large enterprise, it also presents a chance for significant impact and career growth in a company actively building its identity.
What is it actually like to work at Kyndryl?
As the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, Kyndryl is the operational backbone for thousands of enterprise clients globally. The company was formed in 2021 as a strategic spinoff from IBM's managed infrastructure services unit. To work at Kyndryl is to work at the heart of a large-scale corporate transformation. The core mission is to design, build, manage, and modernize the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day.
The day-to-day work involves deep technical expertise. Teams deliver a wide range of cloud solutions across public, private, and hybrid environments. A key focus is helping clients with complex cloud migrations by assessing their existing infrastructure, creating tailored transition plans, and executing the move with minimal disruption. This work is underpinned by robust data security frameworks designed to protect critical business data and ensure compliance with global regulations.
For an employee, this means an environment that is both established and entrepreneurial. You inherit the scale, complexity, and client roster of a market leader, but you are also part of a new entity trying to forge its own culture and be more nimble than its predecessor. The company’s stated goal is to move away from legacy processes and toward a more agile, customer-centric model focused on growth areas like cloud, AI, and cybersecurity.
Source: Kyndryl 2023 Annual Report
How does Kyndryl pay compare?
Kyndryl aims to offer competitive compensation to attract and retain talent in the high-demand fields of cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. As a global company, salaries vary significantly based on geographic location, role seniority, and specific skill sets. Based on self-reported data, compensation is generally perceived as in line with or slightly above industry averages for technical roles.
For example, user-reported salary data suggests a Cloud Architect in the United States can expect a base salary around $163,500, while a technical Project Manager might earn approximately $124,000. Cyber Security Specialists report average salaries in the range of $136,000. These figures often do not include bonuses, stock awards, or other incentives that may be part of a total compensation package for certain roles.
| Role | Representative Kyndryl Salary (US) | US Median Salary (All Industries) |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Architect | $163,500/year | $132,120/year |
| Project Manager | $124,000/year | $98,390/year |
| Cyber Security Specialist | $136,000/year | $120,360/year |
Note: Kyndryl salaries are user-reported estimates from Glassdoor as of late 2023. US Median Salaries are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) for comparable roles and are not specific to Kyndryl.
Given the company's transformation, compensation packages may be structured to incentivize performance and alignment with new strategic goals. Candidates should expect to discuss total compensation, including performance bonuses and any long-term incentives, during the hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Source: Kyndryl Salaries on Glassdoor
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. While specific offerings vary by country, the core package in the U.S. typically includes:
- Health and Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, along with Health Savings Accounts (HSA), life insurance, and disability coverage.
- Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan with a company match to help employees save for the future. The company generally matches 100% of the first 5% of an employee's contribution, plus a 1% automatic contribution.
- Time Off: A flexible approach to paid time off (PTO) that combines vacation, personal, and sick days into a single bank, empowering employees to use their time as needed. The company also offers paid holidays.
- Family Support: Kyndryl offers parental leave benefits for both birthing and non-birthing parents, along with other programs to support employees with families.
- Flexibility: Reflecting its modernizing culture, Kyndryl supports hybrid and remote work arrangements for many roles, acknowledging the need for flexibility in today's work environment.
- Wellness and Development: The company emphasizes continuous learning and provides access to wellness resources, mental health support, and tuition assistance programs for career-related education.
These benefits are a core part of Kyndryl's strategy to create a supportive and healthy workplace, enabling employees to do their best work while managing their personal well-being.
Source: Kyndryl Benefits Overview
Culture, leadership, and DEI at Kyndryl
At the center of Kyndryl's identity is "The Kyndryl Way," a set of cultural principles designed to differentiate it from its past. These principles—Restless, Empathetic, Devoted, Flat, Fast, and Focused—guide behavior and decision-making. The goal is to foster an environment of agility, customer obsession, and collaboration, moving away from the bureaucracy often associated with legacy IT giants.
Leadership, under CEO /ceos/martin-schroeter, has been vocal about creating a more open and empowered workplace. This commitment is externally validated by its certification as a Most Loved Workplace®. This certification is based on analyzing employee sentiment and signals a formal dedication to building a positive culture that drives engagement and innovation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are foundational to The Kyndryl Way. The company has established global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity goals focused on increasing representation at all levels. Key initiatives include:
- Inclusion Networks: Employee-run groups (ERGs) that provide community, networking, and allyship for various demographics and interest groups.
- Inclusive Leadership Training: Programs designed to equip managers with the skills to lead diverse teams effectively.
- Pay Equity: A public commitment to conducting annual global pay equity reviews to ensure fair and unbiased compensation practices.
By embedding these values into its operations, Kyndryl is actively working to build an inclusive culture where all 80,000 employees feel they belong and can thrive.
Source: The Kyndryl Way, Source: Kyndryl Inclusion, Diversity and Equity
The hiring and interview process at Kyndryl
The hiring process at Kyndryl is structured to identify candidates with strong technical acumen and a cultural fit with The Kyndryl Way. While the exact steps can vary by role and region, candidates can typically expect a multi-stage process:
- Online Application: Candidates apply through the Kyndryl Careers portal. The system uses AI to help match applicants with suitable open roles.
- Recruiter Screening: A talent acquisition partner conducts an initial phone or video call to discuss your background, interest in Kyndryl, and the specifics of the role. This is an opportunity to ask initial questions about the team and company culture.
- Technical and Behavioral Interviews: This phase usually involves one or more rounds with the hiring manager and team members.
- Technical Assessment: For engineering, architect, and other technical roles, expect a deep dive into your skills. This could involve live coding, system design questions, or a discussion of past projects relevant to cloud, data, security, or network services.
- Behavioral Assessment: Interviewers will ask questions designed to see how you align with The Kyndryl Way. Be prepared to provide examples of when you have been empathetic, restless (curious and eager to learn), or devoted to a customer's success.
- Final Round / Offer: The final stage may involve a conversation with a senior leader. If successful, a formal offer is extended.
Candidates are encouraged to research Kyndryl's business, its transformation journey, and its cultural principles. Articulating how your skills can help Kyndryl's clients and how your work style aligns with being "fast, flat, and focused" will be critical for success.
Source: Kyndryl Careers, Source: Kyndryl Interview Reviews on Glassdoor
Career growth and learning at Kyndryl
Career growth at Kyndryl is intrinsically linked to its business model. As a services company, the skills of its people are its primary product. Consequently, Kyndryl invests heavily in continuous learning, upskilling, and professional development. The company has a stated goal of achieving 1 million learning hours by the end of its fiscal year.
The centerpiece of this strategy is providing access to certifications from major technology partners. Kyndryl supports and encourages employees to gain advanced certifications in high-growth areas, including:
- Cloud: AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
- Networking & Security: Expertise in modern network-as-a-service and cybersecurity frameworks.
- AI & Data: Skills in data management, analytics, and implementing AI-ready infrastructure.
Beyond certifications, career progression can take several forms. Employees can advance along a technical track, becoming subject matter experts who solve the most complex client challenges. Alternatively, there are paths into project management, people leadership, or sales and solutioning. With a global footprint and a vast client portfolio, opportunities for internal mobility—moving between projects, accounts, or even countries—are a significant advantage for long-term career development.
Source: Kyndryl Taps Gloat for Talent Marketplace
Risks, criticisms, and what to watch
No workplace is perfect, and candidates should consider the challenges and risks associated with working at Kyndryl. The primary risk factor is inherent in the company's identity: it is a massive organization undergoing a profound and public transformation. As detailed in its annual report, this creates several areas for potential employees to watch.
- Transformation Ambiguity: The shift from legacy IBM processes to The Kyndryl Way is an ongoing journey. Some employees report lingering bureaucracy and challenges in navigating the large organization while it simultaneously tries to become more agile.
- Restructuring and Cost-Saving: Like many large public companies in a competitive industry, Kyndryl has engaged in restructuring efforts to align its workforce with strategic priorities and achieve cost efficiencies. This has included layoffs in certain areas and can create uncertainty for some teams.
- Competitive Pressure: Kyndryl operates in a highly competitive market for IT services. This creates a high-pressure environment focused on performance, utilization, and winning new business to fuel its growth agenda.
However, these risks are two sides of the same coin. The transformation creating ambiguity is the same force creating opportunity. Employees who are resilient, adaptable, and eager to build new things may find this environment more rewarding than a more static, established company. The pressure to perform is driven by the chance to win major deals and work on cutting-edge projects for the world's most influential companies.
Source: CRN on Kyndryl Layoffs, Source: Kyndryl 2023 Annual Report Risk Factors
Most Loved Workplaces® context
Kyndryl is part of a global community of over 1,800 companies certified as a Most Loved Workplace®, representing a network of 2.8 million employees. This certification is based on the five pillars of the SPARK framework: Systemic Collaboration, a Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness. Research from Best Practice Institute shows that top-tier Most Loved Workplaces® see 4× higher revenue growth than their industry peers and benefit from 48% higher employee retention. Furthermore, 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, indicating a strong internal talent pipeline and high employee engagement.
How we researched this report
This report was written by the Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our analysis is based on primary sources including Kyndryl's public statements, SEC filings, official career and benefits pages, and reputable industry reporting. We also reference anonymized, user-generated data from platforms like Glassdoor with disclosure. Our research process is designed to be evidence-first and follows our editorial methodology. For more, please see our full methodology.
Sources
- Kyndryl 2023 Annual Report — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Kyndryl Salaries on Glassdoor — Glassdoor
- Kyndryl Benefits Overview — Kyndryl
- The Kyndryl Way — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Inclusion, Diversity and Equity — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Careers — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Interview Reviews on Glassdoor — Glassdoor
- Kyndryl Taps Gloat for Talent Marketplace — Gloat
- CRN on Kyndryl Layoffs — CRN
- Kyndryl 2023 Annual Report Risk Factors — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Quick answers
Researched and edited by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. See our methodology.