Dog-eat-dog culture with some open-source contributions on the side - Senior Roboticist PickNik Employee Review

3.0
15 Aug 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Sometimes getting paid to write open-source software Ample opportunity to travel, if you like that kind of thing

Cons

I left the company about 3 months ago and believe I'm in a good headspace to write a balanced review now. There is a strong dog-eat-dog culture that really made PickNik an unpleasant, stressful experience for me. People taking credit for the contributions of others and general back-stabby behavior was common. For example, I worked hard overtime to propose a risky new strategy for a client and deliver it on time; a week later, the CTO gave a company-wide presentation where he basically claimed the glory. A series of events like that ground away my enthusiasm. Obviously every employee wasn't like that but it was fairly common. The obnoxiously loud, highly critical, unstable, ambitious employees were the ones getting promoted. My new employer pays about 25% better, 75% less stress, no jerks on the team. I should have left sooner.

Explore other reviews about PickNik

5.0
20 Mar 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexibility and lots of cool projects

Cons

Sometimes it can be hard to balance priorities.

4.0
19 Feb 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Work with some of the smartest and most passionate engineers in robotics - Still small and nimble, no large-company bureaucracy and BS - Work with an extremely broad range of software and hardware - Help NASA and the Space Force develop next-generation space robots - Fun office culture (with a well-stocked kitchen)

Cons

- Consultancy to product company conversion pains. Leadership has made a number of missteps along the way and some engineers who signed up to be consultants feel betrayed. - Still mid-transition on the above, which means the whims of large clients can rapidly change the financial status of the company. - At time of writing, currently struggling due to said large client whims. - Like any niche engineering job, occasional drama due to poor social skills - as evidenced by some of the other reviews here, some bridges have been burnt (often by the CEO).

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All