Abnormal AI

The core technology is interesting. Most of the regular ICs are super friendly. If you are interested in ML, this is definitely a place for that.

CTO has the inability to work with anyone who disagrees with him. Massive micromanaging in engineering and a massive disconnect between the number of product engineers and the company's product ambitions. Technical leadership has no platform vision and everything is hacked together. If you didn’t work at TellApart or Twitter, don’t expect to last long if you have any sort of opinions on roadmaps. Long term company vision makes no sense and is constantly changing. No willingness to actually try to do things differently. Relentless criticism and pressure from customer facing teams. Consistent negative feedback loop. Benefits are below industry average and the company retroactively changes employee compensation programs. Just don’t work here. You will be overworked, underpaid, and completely and utterly under appreciated.

Either want to change or move on. CTO and VP Eng need to be replaced. Actually make sure your product works before wanting to build a long term vision. Follow best practices and actually evolve the company out of being a startup if you want to succeed long term.