Solid Mission, Pay Needs Work for AI Roles
Working at Eightfold AI as a software engineer was a good experience overall, but the compensation package leaves a bit to be desired, especially compared to bigger tech.
The health benefits are actually pretty decent for a startup. We also get unlimited PTO, which is nice for flexibility when you're a software engineer. The company is doing interesting work in the AI/recruitment tech industry.
The base pay for an AI software engineer just isn't competitive with big tech, especially here in Mountain View, CA. Stock options are there, but the valuation can feel a bit shaky, and there's no real 401k match. It's tough when you're in a hybrid setup and living in a high cost-of-living area.
Revisit the compensation structure, particularly base salaries and equity packages for engineering roles. To attract and retain top AI talent, you'll need to compete better with larger tech companies, especially in this market.