Element Ops

Pros: I liked the remote work environment, it offered solid work flexibility. As a Project Manager, I got to work on interesting software development projects with a good team. The immediate teammates were generally supportive.
Cons: The leadership team often changed direction without much notice, which made planning tough for project teams. There's a real lack of consistent communication from upper management, making it hard to understand overall company goals. Decision-making felt slow and sometimes arbitrary for a growing company.
Advice to Management: Try to establish a clearer strategic vision and stick to it for a reasonable period. Improve internal communication channels so all levels understand key decisions and their reasoning. Empowerment for team leads would also help, especially for product development roles.

Pros: The Austin, TX office itself is pretty nice, and it's good that we aren't fully in-office. They offer a hybrid model, so you get those few WFH days each week. It's a decent setup for some project types.
Cons: The 'flexibility' can feel pretty rigid. As a Software Engineer, I expected more actual remote work options in this industry. You're expected in the office 3 days a week, and there isn't much wiggle room there. It makes planning tough.
Advice to Management: Really consider offering more genuine work flexibility, especially for the engineering teams. Trust your technical roles to deliver quality work whether they're in the Austin, TX office or working remotely more often.