Thunder

Pros: It's a solid place if you're good at setting boundaries. Most weeks I worked around 40-45 hours as a Software Engineer. The hybrid work model lets you split time, which is nice.
Cons: Sometimes project deadlines mean late nights, especially in Q4. It can be tough to say no to extra tasks, especially for junior developers. Management sometimes pushes for more without proper support.
Advice to Management: Managers need to be more mindful of workloads and respect personal time, especially nearing product launches. Don't just push project deadlines without adjusting resources.

Pros: As a Software Engineer in Seattle, the base salary is definitely competitive; mid-level roles usually start around $150k-$170k. They've got good health insurance options too, which is a big plus.
Cons: The stock refreshers aren't as generous compared to other big tech companies in the area. There's not much flexibility with benefit customization for hybrid workers, it's mostly a take-it-or-leave-it package. Annual raises are often just cost-of-living, so real total compensation growth feels slow.
Advice to Management: Look into making the stock refreshers more competitive to retain talent, especially in this market. Also, offering more flexible benefit plans for your diverse hybrid workforce would be a huge improvement.

Pros: Honestly, the base salary for a Junior Software Engineer is pretty decent here. I got about $85k working remote from Austin. For a tech startup, it's a solid offer, and they do match 401k after a year which is a big plus in the tech industry.
Cons: The downside is the benefits package isn't great. Healthcare has really high deductibles, so it feels kinda weak. Also, don't expect many other perks like free food or wellness stipends you'd get at bigger tech companies.
Advice to Management: Invest more in competitive health benefits and consider adding some standard perks to attract and retain talent.