Was contacted by a recruiting company and told about the role. I was also told USG wanted to move quickly if the found the right candidate. Did the phone screen with the recruiter and a few days later spoke with the hiring manager for 30 minutes. Hiring Manager was excellent to speak to and he stated he was very interested in me speaking with the panel for a final round interview. I was contacted by the recruiting company again asking for references and my non negotiable requirements to accept an offer as they were under the impression that if the panel call went well an offer would be made very quickly. 90 minutes before the panel interview I was contacted and told that the members on the panel REFUSED to meet with me because they didnt view me as technical enough for the role. I have NEVER, in 12 years, had a potential employer offer an interview and then REFUSE to meet. I have had interviews where employers have openly said "you arent the exact fit but we are willing to talk with an open mind". Nope, none of that. Just a direct refusal to meet. I can't fathom USG having any kind of DEI practices or policy in place if interview panels are able to openly reject candidates without ever having spoken to them. This is arguably the most unprofessional experience I have had as a candidate for a role. This also speaks volumes about the internal dynamics of those teams that a group can full out protest an interview and have the entire process fall apart.