Toxic, low talent, and lacking leadership - Senior Staff Software Engineer Rivian Employee Review

2.0
May 19, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The product is good for the environment.

Cons

Toxicity is rewarded, talent is below average, leadership at every single level is fighting. Pyramid building is so pervasive it should really be listed as a core competency. Teams and entire orgs are creating competing and duplicative efforts at every turn. Throw your personal life away and pucker up for 10 to 12 hour days 5 or 6 days a week. Work life balance doesn’t exist here. People are hired on false pretense and swapped to roles and responsibilities they never agreed to. Passive aggressive behavior is the key to success at Rivian. You have to mask your toxicity in indirectness and lies. The org structure across the company appears to be designed to provide maximum friction to decision making. Some of the most confusing and unsustainable technology choices I’ve ever seen are points of pride.

Explore other reviews about Rivian

5.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good perks, work life balance

Cons

Standard process needs to be developed

2.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great exposure to the product - Amazing teammates, boots on the ground collaboration - Onboarding is really well done - they take this part seriously and I appreciate that.

Cons

- Limited growth - Constantly worried whether your department is getting laid off. - I've worked at plenty of other startups and EV companies and this one is by far the worst. - Zero job security unless you're JR

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