upward mobility is difficult, if you do not mix around with the right folks and get along with them.
a lot of secrecy in decision making, even in simple things like approach to a project. seems like they want people to just agree and do what is told, without understanding anything :( . middle management is only concerned about keeping up their appearances with upper management, and will sabotage any efforts by the team members to shine.
depending on the team, work life balance can be impossible , but not all teams are like that.