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Anduril's product engineering machine

(joincolossus.com)
86 points bookofjoe | 23 comments | 30 Aug 25 19:14 UTC | HN request time: 1.982s | source | bottom
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Aurornis ◴[30 Aug 25 21:39 UTC] No.45078217[source]▶
What’s the latest about Anduril’s work environment? They’ve been pushing vibes-heavy approaches to recruiting like making videos sneering at remote work and highlighting how quirky Palmer is, but the last I heard it wasn’t a great place to work. When I start seeing PR puff piece journalism about a workplace to make it seem extra fun, they’re usually compensating for something (low pay, long hours, bad work environment) in my experience.
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mingus88 ◴[30 Aug 25 21:51 UTC] No.45078305[source]▶
It’s important to know that Andruil is culturally very similar to Palantir and is run by many ex-Palantir folk.

My experience with the latter is very outdated but assuming Andruil is at a similar phase of growth as Palantir was a decade ago, you pretty much nailed it

Someone correct me if I’m wrong:

Underpaid compensation, with a justification that they are only hiring people who are “mission driven”. Heavily military based culture with a “need to know” approach to projects and overreliance on acronyms to align thought. Perks are golden age startup perks with full meal service, massages, fitness classes, laundry because of you are looking for a 9-5 then this is not the job for you

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1. rune-space ◴[30 Aug 25 22:09 UTC] No.45078411[source]▶
Compensation is essentially top-of-industry, maybe with the exception of the Big 3 AI companies (that’s assuming you believe their RSU valuations, and that an IPO will occur).

Some projects are OPSEC-restricted, yes.

No massages, classes, laundry.

Many 9-5 people.

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2. fooker ◴[30 Aug 25 22:56 UTC] No.45078722[source]▶
> Compensation is essentially top-of-industry

For junior candidates yes. Anyone with 5+ years of good experience, no, it's about half of what you'd make at Google.

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3. rune-space ◴[30 Aug 25 22:58 UTC] No.45078738[source]▶
You’re talking Google L5? Anduril L5 is similar YOE. I’m seeing ~400k TC for L5 at Google in levels.fyi, Anduril is significantly higher.
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4. fooker ◴[30 Aug 25 23:00 UTC] No.45078753{3}[source]▶
No, when I say 5 years I mean something like a PhD + five years in a relevant job. That would be maybe L6 at Google unless you're coasting.
replies(1): >>45078767 #
5. rune-space ◴[30 Aug 25 23:02 UTC] No.45078767{4}[source]▶
Of all the moved goalposts…
replies(1): >>45078975 #
6. rune-space ◴[31 Aug 25 00:12 UTC] No.45079162{6}[source]▶
And how does that relate to this discussion on relative compensation?
replies(1): >>45079211 #
7. fooker ◴[31 Aug 25 00:21 UTC] No.45079211{7}[source]▶
We are talking about senior employees at a R&D heavy company. You brought up Google L5 as the comparison. It is not.

I explicitly mentioned compensation is pretty standard for junior employees.

replies(1): >>45079249 #
8. rune-space ◴[31 Aug 25 00:28 UTC] No.45079249{8}[source]▶
Alright pal. You haven’t kept a straight line this whole thread (this current message directly contradicts 2x previously established claims of yours). Good day.
9. Aurornis ◴[31 Aug 25 00:52 UTC] No.45079370[source]▶
> Compensation is essentially top-of-industry, maybe with the exception of the Big 3 AI companies (that’s assuming you believe their RSU valuations, and that an IPO will occur).

I guess it comes down to betting on the IPO then?

The two recent data points I have are from one person who interviewed, got an offer, and his only reaction was “lol, not a chance”. The other person I know who works there now (according to LinkedIn) was a coworker who was cut for underperformance when we worked together years ago. I’ve heard so many different stories about what it’s like that I don’t know what to believe any more.

Calling Anduril comp “significantly higher” than Google does go completely against what I’ve heard from others though. I’ll have to go look again.

EDIT: The levels.fyi data looks great for juniors but definitely isn’t higher than Google for L5+: https://www.levels.fyi/companies/anduril-industries/salaries...

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10. wildzzz ◴[31 Aug 25 02:10 UTC] No.45079710[source]▶
For those in the defense industry, Anduril pays pretty well.
replies(1): >>45081173 #
11. togetheragainor ◴[31 Aug 25 03:28 UTC] No.45080116{3}[source]▶
If you're using levels.fyi as a reference, Anduril pays its L5s significantly less, not more: https://www.levels.fyi/companies/anduril-industries/salaries...
replies(1): >>45084162 #
12. fooker ◴[31 Aug 25 07:31 UTC] No.45081173{3}[source]▶
I don't doubt it.

Still about half of what a senior role in big tech would amount to.

This is an interesting trend for a bunch of newer companies, pay competitively for junior roles but significantly below industry for experienced candidates.

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13. therobots927 ◴[31 Aug 25 14:47 UTC] No.45083553{4}[source]▶
Classic cult recruitment tactic. Lure people in, hook them, then trap them.
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14. rune-space ◴[31 Aug 25 15:54 UTC] No.45084139[source]▶
Anduril is a decent base with a huge gamble on equity, Google is a sure shot.

People that started a year ago at Anduril are today making slightly more than they would be had they stared at Google. People that started 2 years ago are making far more than they would be. And it keeps growing – exponentially – from there.

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15. rune-space ◴[31 Aug 25 15:55 UTC] No.45084152{5}[source]▶
Your claim is that they don't practice at-will employment?
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16. rune-space ◴[31 Aug 25 15:56 UTC] No.45084162{4}[source]▶
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45084139
17. bigyabai ◴[31 Aug 25 16:43 UTC] No.45084592{6}[source]▶
Obviously not? The bigger issue is trusting them not to lord your RSUs over you.
18. therobots927 ◴[31 Aug 25 18:45 UTC] No.45085813{6}[source]▶
Are you familiar with the term "cult"?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

replies(1): >>45089518 #
19. stogot ◴[01 Sep 25 04:03 UTC] No.45089328{3}[source]▶
Exponential growth in salary? Wow!

Not realistic…….

replies(1): >>45089511 #
20. rune-space ◴[01 Sep 25 04:39 UTC] No.45089511{4}[source]▶
2x every year for the past 8+ years. Realistic? Maybe not. Historic? Absolutely.
21. rune-space ◴[01 Sep 25 04:41 UTC] No.45089518{7}[source]▶
Sure. Do you have a real argument, or are you just aligned with siblings compliant: "this company sucks: when you stop working for them, they stop paying you"
replies(1): >>45092300 #
22. ◴[01 Sep 25 07:38 UTC] No.45090420{3}[source]▶
23. therobots927 ◴[01 Sep 25 12:44 UTC] No.45092300{8}[source]▶
That's not what the parent said.