What Is It Really Like to Work at Kyndryl?
Explore a career at Kyndryl. Our 2024 report covers culture, leadership, salary, benefits, and the interview process at this global IT leader. Find your next role.
Working at Kyndryl means being part of a massive, global team of 80,000+ experts managing the essential IT infrastructure for the world's largest enterprises. Spun off from IBM in 2021, the company is focused on transformation, emphasizing cloud, data, security, and AI services. Kyndryl is a certified Most Loved Workplace®, reflecting a strong commitment to its cultural principles—'The Kyndryl Way'—which are rooted in being restless, empathetic, and devoted. Employees can expect significant investment in skills development, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work on complex, large-scale technology challenges.
- Founded
- 2021
- HQ
- New York, New York
- Employees
- 80000
- Industry
- IT Infrastructure Services
- Ownership
- Public
- Ticker
- NYSE:KD
- Kyndryl is a public company (NYSE:KD) spun off from IBM's managed infrastructure services business in 2021.
- The company employs approximately 80,000 people globally, with headquarters in New York City.
- As a certified Most Loved Workplace®, Kyndryl formally commits to a positive culture based on respect, collaboration, and employee well-being.
- Kyndryl's core business involves designing, building, managing, and modernizing the mission-critical IT systems of major corporations.
- Compensation is competitive for the IT services sector, with a strong focus on upskilling and professional certifications to drive career growth.
- Primary business risks include intense market competition and navigating the transition from legacy systems to modern cloud environments.
Working at Kyndryl means being part of a massive, global team of 80,000+ experts managing the essential IT infrastructure for the world's largest enterprises. Spun off from IBM in 2021, the company is focused on transformation, emphasizing cloud, data, security, and AI services. Kyndryl is a certified Most Loved Workplace®, reflecting a strong commitment to its cultural principles—'The Kyndryl Way'—which are rooted in being restless, empathetic, and devoted. Employees can expect significant investment in skills development, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work on complex, large-scale technology challenges.
What is it actually like to work at Kyndryl?
Kyndryl is the engine behind the global economy's digital infrastructure. Spun off from IBM's managed infrastructure services business in 2021, the company was born with a massive global footprint, a roster of Fortune 500 clients, and approximately 80,000 employees. The core of the work at Kyndryl involves designing, building, managing, and modernizing the complex, mission-critical information systems that top enterprises depend on. This legacy means employees often work on some of the largest and most complex IT environments in the world.
A typical day can involve anything from executing a complex cloud migration for a major bank, managing a global retailer's data center operations for peak performance, or deploying advanced cybersecurity measures to protect a client's network. The scale is immense, and the work is critical—Kyndryl's tagline, "the heart of progress," speaks to the essential nature of its services. Culturally, the company is on a journey of transformation. Leadership is actively steering the firm from its IBM legacy toward a more agile, service-oriented, and customer-centric model defined as "The Kyndryl Way." This culture emphasizes being restless (always learning), empathetic (to clients and colleagues), and devoted (to client success), creating a dynamic environment for those who thrive on change and large-scale problem-solving. Source: Kyndryl - About Us
How does Kyndryl pay compare?
Kyndryl's compensation is positioned to be competitive within the global IT services industry. As a public company (NYSE: KD), it must attract and retain top talent in high-demand fields like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Salaries are benchmarked against industry standards and vary significantly based on role, geographic location, experience level, and the possession of critical certifications.
For technical and project management roles in the United States, self-reported data suggests that Kyndryl's compensation is often slightly above the industry median. For instance, an experienced Project Manager might see a base salary around $115,000, compared to a broader industry median closer to $101,000. Similarly, a sought-after role like a Cloud Engineer at Kyndryl may command a base salary in the $128,000 range, outpacing the general market. In addition to base salary, Kyndryl's compensation packages typically include an annual bonus component tied to both individual and company performance, as well as equity opportunities for certain levels and roles. This structure is designed to align employee incentives with the company's strategic goals of growth and profitability. Source: Glassdoor Kyndryl Salaries
What benefits and time-off does Kyndryl offer?
Kyndryl offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the financial, physical, and mental well-being of its global workforce. The company's framework is built around flexibility and choice, recognizing the diverse needs of its employees.
Key components of the US benefits package include:
- Health & Wellness: A choice of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. The company also emphasizes mental health support through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and provides access to wellness resources and apps.
- Financial & Retirement: A 401(k) plan with a competitive company match, providing a direct financial incentive for long-term savings. Kyndryl also offers health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life insurance, and disability coverage.
- Work/Life Balance: Kyndryl promotes flexibility in how and where work gets done, though specifics depend on the role and client needs. The company provides a generous paid time-off policy, including vacation days, sick/personal days, and a number of company-paid holidays. Additionally, they offer parental leave policies for bonding with a new child.
- Skills & Development: A significant part of the benefits package is the investment in employee skills. Kyndryl provides access to vast online learning platforms, covers the cost of strategic professional certifications, and encourages continuous upskilling as a core part of the job.
This structure reflects Kyndryl's understanding that to be a leading technology services firm, it must invest heavily in the people who deliver those services. Source: Kyndryl US Benefits
Culture, leadership, and DEI at Kyndryl
Since its inception, Kyndryl has placed a heavy emphasis on defining a distinct and positive corporate culture, a strategic move to differentiate itself from its IBM origins. This effort is embodied in "The Kyndryl Way," a set of principles—Flat, Fast, and Focused—that guide behavior and decision-making. The goal is to create a less hierarchical, more agile organization that is entirely devoted to client needs. The company's recognition as a Most Loved Workplace® underscores that these efforts are resonating with employees.
Leadership, under CEO [/ceos/martin-schroeter](Martin J. Schroeter), has been vocal about creating an inclusive and empathetic environment. This top-down support is critical in a company of 80,000 people spread across the globe. The focus is on collaboration, respect, and empowering individuals to take ownership. Kyndryl's SPARK framework (Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, Kindness) aligns directly with the internal cultural initiatives being championed.
On Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Kyndryl is building its programs and reporting mechanisms. The company's 2023 ESG report highlights initiatives focused on creating an inclusive culture, fostering allyship, and increasing representation in leadership. Goals include achieving 33% female representation in executive roles by 2025 and 40% female representation globally by 2030. These public commitments provide a clear benchmark for accountability and signal DEI as a business priority. Source: Kyndryl 2023 ESG Report
The hiring and interview process at Kyndryl
The hiring process at Kyndryl is structured to identify candidates with deep technical skills, a collaborative mindset, and an alignment with "The Kyndryl Way." While the specific steps can vary by region and role, a typical process for a professional position follows a clear path:
- Online Application: Candidates apply through the Kyndryl Careers portal, submitting a resume and answering initial screening questions.
- Recruiter Screening: A talent acquisition partner reviews the application. If there's a potential match, they will schedule a brief introductory call to discuss the role, the candidate's background, and logistics like salary expectations and availability.
- Technical & Behavioral Interviews: This is the core of the process. Candidates will meet with the hiring manager and often several team members. Interviews will be a mix of technical questions to assess domain expertise (e.g., cloud architecture, network security protocols) and behavioral questions to gauge cultural fit (e.g., "Tell me about a time you had to learn a new technology quickly").
- Case Study or Technical Assessment: For certain roles, particularly in consulting, architecture, or advanced engineering, a practical assessment may be required. This could be a case study to solve or a hands-on coding or configuration challenge.
- Final Interviews: Final-round interviews may involve meeting with a senior leader or director to provide a broader perspective and final approval.
- Offer and Onboarding: If successful, a formal offer is extended. Kyndryl has a structured onboarding process designed to integrate new hires into the company and their specific teams.
Throughout the process, Kyndryl emphasizes its culture and looks for candidates who are "restless, empathetic, and devoted." Source: Kyndryl Careers
Career growth and learning at Kyndryl
Career growth at Kyndryl is fundamentally linked to continuous learning and skills development. The company's business model depends on its employees possessing the most current and relevant technical certifications and expertise. As a result, Kyndryl has made massive investments in learning platforms and programs.
Employees have access to a robust ecosystem of online learning resources, including partnerships with major tech platform providers and access to thousands of courses. A key strategic initiative is achieving advanced certifications with Kyndryl's key partners, such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services. The company actively encourages and often pays for employees to pursue these certifications. This dual-purpose strategy benefits the employee by making them more valuable in the marketplace and benefits the company by enhancing its service delivery capabilities and partnership statuses.
Advancement can follow traditional vertical paths (e.g., Engineer to Senior Engineer to Architect) or horizontal moves into different business units or technology practices. With a global presence and a wide array of services—from cloud and data to security and network services—there are significant opportunities for employees to build a diverse and multifaceted career without leaving the company. Source: Kyndryl Annual Report 2023 via SEC
Risks, criticisms, and what to watch
As a relatively new public company spun out of a legacy business, Kyndryl faces a unique set of challenges and risks that any prospective employee should understand. These are not secrets; they are openly detailed in the company's public filings and are part of the transformation story.
The primary challenge is navigating a highly competitive IT services market. Kyndryl competes with established giants and nimble, cloud-native firms. A core part of its strategy involves shifting its revenue mix from lower-margin traditional infrastructure management to higher-margin services in areas like cloud advisory, AI implementation, and cybersecurity. This pivot requires a massive, ongoing effort in retraining its workforce and reshaping its market perception.
Workforce transformation is another critical area. Managing a global team of 80,000 through a period of significant cultural and strategic change is a monumental task. While the company's focus on "The Kyndryl Way" and its status as a Most Loved Workplace® are positive indicators, the reality of change management at this scale can lead to organizational friction and uncertainty.
Financially, the company has been focused on achieving profitability and streamlining operations since the spin-off. Investors and analysts watch key metrics like revenue growth, profit margins, and signing new business very closely. The pressure to perform quarter over quarter is a tangible reality that can influence business decisions and resource allocation. Candidates should see Kyndryl as a company in active transformation, which brings both the risk of change and the opportunity to be part of building a new industry leader. Source: Kyndryl FY2023 Form 10-K
Most Loved Workplaces® context: Most Loved Workplaces® certification is a rigorous, data-driven analysis of employee sentiment and a company's alignment with the SPARK framework: Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness. The program includes 1,800 certified companies representing 2.8 million employees. Certified companies demonstrate 4× higher revenue growth and 48% higher employee retention. A remarkable 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, indicating a strong internal talent pipeline and employee buy-in.
How we researched this report: This report was researched and written by the Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our analysis is based on a review of primary sources, including Kyndryl's public statements, SEC filings, official careers and benefits pages, and aggregated public data on compensation. For more information on our process, please see our methodology.
Sources
- Kyndryl - About Us — Kyndryl
- Glassdoor Kyndryl Salaries — Glassdoor
- Kyndryl US Benefits — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl 2023 ESG Report — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Careers — Kyndryl
- Kyndryl Financials & SEC Filings — Kyndryl
Quick answers
Researched and edited by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. See our methodology.