Where the mission really counts
Pros
Let me open with a bit of my own background to add context: - Been at Palantir for around 3 years at the moment of this writing. - I've worked at many software companies, including Google. - Also have an academic background (PhD). The most unique thing about working for Palantir is working for missions that really matter. Nothing feels like knowing your work is directly responsible for helping others, and preventing bad things to happen. And don't be fooled into thinking that this is a "drinking the kool-aid" kind of thing. There's no "management" trying to convince me that I'm helping an important cause: I see it by myself and engage on it every single day. Palantir is also pretty dynamic: structures exist but are super flexible. People are encouraged to work on different projects / teams / countries and help on whatever they can. In my tenure at the company, I haven't spent more than 6 months on a same role and it's hard to pinpoint which was the most exciting amongst them. The company's culture is another highlight: a typical Silicon Valley company that spares no resource in making sure its employees are taken care of. At the same time, there's still a start-up feel to the company (even though it's pretty global by now) and I feel like I'm as responsible for shaping Palantir as much as anyone else who is here. Finally, contrary to some rumors I read on the Internet, there isn't really much of a "cult culture" to the company. Employees are psyched about the company, it's culture, values and mission: but helping to e.g. reduce human trafficking does that to you. However, there is definitely no idolization of specific leadership personas as it happens on Google, Facebook and Apple.
Cons
Palantir is the kind of company where employees are really focused and committed to its cause. This doesn't mean you need to do crazy hours - most people I know work pretty normal hours and I myself keep my weekends sacred and never work on them. But people are really focused and committed and want to solve problems and make Palantir a better place - as opposed to just "doing their part" and going home at the end of the day. That said, people who want to focus on a "9 to 5 job and collect the pay check at the end of the month" don't usually thrive at Palantir. Again, this is not exactly about working hours - it's about trying to be active in building a company versus not being able to handle the dynamic nature of it. At Palantir, you won't get an office with your name on the door, your responsibilities will change a lot - sometimes for more, sometimes for less. And you will experience some of the downsides of a loosely structured organization that has been doubling in size every year for the past 8 years. Also touching the points above, some reviews complain about low compensation packages. Without getting into too much detail: Palantir is a pre-IPO company that doubles in valuation every year and focuses its long-term compensation on the form of company stock, rather than cash payments. Think about that for a second. It is an amazing opportunity for those who are committed to staying in the long term and helping the company grow, but a downside for those who prioritize stability and would prefer a pre-established tech giant like Google. Bottom line, if you are seeking a 9-to-5 job and are optimizing on the size of the cash paycheck at the end of the month, then Palantir is probably not for you.
