Pros
I am the co-founder and CEO of LiquidPiston, so my view may be a little biased ;-) LiquidPiston is reimagining the internal combustion engine - starting with the thermodynamic cycle of the engine. We have developed an advanced rotary engine architecture that embodies this new cycle. Developing a piston engine is not easy. Starting from scratch, with a new cycle and a new engine architecture is even harder. We offer employees the opportunity to develop as engineers, and as critical thinkers. You will do well in our company if you enjoy taking ownership of a project, and can take a project through from concept to implementation / testing. You will gain broad exposure to a number of engineering disciplines. In sum - you will improve as an engineer. You will be challenged by the work. And, you will make significant contributions to a technology that could change the industry. You will be made a part owner in the Company, and have opportunity to profit in the company's success.
Cons
We are a tiny team - of about a dozen people - with ambitions to change the world. We don't have an "expert" for that - you will have to do research, talk to people and read, and become an expert in whatever topic you are embracing for the day. If you enjoy being a cog in a large machine, this work is not for you. If you want a "9-5" job, and benefits that only a large company offers (hint - we are not a large company) - then this is not the place for you. If you can't stomach some ups and downs that come with being in a startup environment, then again, this is not the place for you... If you want the opportunity to challenge yourself, to broaden yourself while also deepening your technical capability, if you want exposure to a range of technical challenges, and if you want the opportunity to do something game changing - then this just might be the right place for you.