Lots of potential but lack of focus - Software Engineer Skytree Employee Review

I like the culture of the company a lot, it is a bit like an academic group (not surprsising since it started as one) but with much better pay and way less politiking. Interesting projects and very capable knoweledgeable coworkers and superiors, very open to new ideas and technologies. Frequent guests from universities and research labs. Flexible work arrangements, flexible hours.

We are a startup and with it come the usual startup cons, e.g. an occassional crunch time where something *HAS* to be done today, longer work week - 45-50 hours seems about average. As far as company specific cons - I really can't think of any.

Interesting cutting edge field with potential for career advancement if you can take the pressure and thankless work environment.

When I was with Skytree: -- High stress, last minute deadlines were common, and celebration of successes was hollow and un-satisfying. -- Management talked a lot about going to battle and destroying competition. Very aggressive/defensive approach to business and people. All fight/flight, very little real passion & excitement for life. -- Management was obsessive & high-strung, which led to a culture that was the same. -- Compensation was significatnly below market rate, and management had a habit of promising advancement but not delivering on it.