Terrible candidate experience. The first two steps were super easy but should have seen the red flags of how much they stressed the no flexibility with in-office culture.
Made it to the final round panel, only for 2 of the 3 interviewers to show up 30 minutes late to the interview because of an 'emergency taste test'. When they did come in, they clearly had not read the resume and asked me the same two questions the 1 guy who was on time asked me. Then just kept asking me to ask questions. Then I was asked about my experience doing double-blinded studies when the hiring manager had already said they don't have budget or interest in doing those.... it was clear none of them were on the same page. The 1 guy who was on time was cool though. I made up my mind mid interview this was not a job for me. Got the generic / chatgpt rejection the next day - which is a choice for a in-person panel rejection.
I now see why the other person in this role left abrubtly and this has been open for so long.
Do yourself a favor and run away.
-HR phone screen
-Call with Hiring Manager
-In-person panel (1 hour) followed by 10-minute chat with hiring manager