An Isolating and Intimidating Experience - Data Scientist Sense Street Employee Review

There are many great people working at the company, which makes the day-to-day work environment more enjoyable

The work is very intense and demanding, which in itself wouldn’t necessarily be a problem. However, the company struggles to organize the workload in a sustainable way. Management sets deadlines with clients without considering how realistic they are for the team responsible for delivering the work. As a result, employees are often forced to work at an extremely fast pace, prioritizing quantity over quality. The company frequently encroaches on employees’ personal time. Sometimes there arises an unspoken expectation to work late evenings and weekends — technically it’s “optional,” but in practice it feels mandatory if you want to keep up with the workload or be perceived as committed. This work style is heavily romanticized within the company culture. Simply working the hours you are contracted to work is often not seen as enough. Recognition tends to go to those who constantly work overtime and push themselves far beyond reasonable limits. Leadership (including the CEO and CPO) often speaks about future growth and acquiring new clients. While that may sound exciting from a strategic perspective, for many employees it mainly translates into even more work and pressure which results in a growing feeling that they are working primarily for the company’s success rather than their own development, . At the same time individual ambitions and well-being are not given much consideration. Salaries are relatively low considering the workload and expectations. In some cases, employees are not adequately compensated for the level of responsibility or the qualifications they bring to the role.

- The work is fast-paced and technically demanding, which is perfect for anyone looking to be challenged by interesting, "cutting-edge" projects. - The problems you solve are at the forefront of the industry, allowing for significant growth in a specialized field.

The culture is built on a complete disregard for personal boundaries, with an unspoken expectation of 24/7 availability and work consistently leaking into every weekend. Communication is fragmented and chaotic, as everything is led by impulse rather than a roadmap. This instability is amplified by the CEO’s highly reactive leadership style. While they can be engaging, their moods are mercurial and difficult to read, leading to an environment where you are constantly walking on eggshells. There is a heavy "hero or zero" dynamic - if you aren’t delivering immediate, "miracle" results, you are quickly marginalized, which makes the experience feel incredibly isolating. Ultimately, the CEO's unpredictable temperament create a workplace that feels emotionally exhausting and unsustainable.