Confused company with leadership issues
Pros
Super-smart, super-kind people working very hard to help and support each other. People honestly care about each other, the product, "making the world a better place" (really!), safety, and creating a workplace that people like working at. All of this and the fact that we are working on a one-of-a kind, world-changing product is amazing. The work flexibility and good compensation combined with the people is reason I'm still an employee, and what tipped this from 2 to 3 stars.
Cons
Waymo has a lot going for it, but the cons are starting to outweigh the pros. I've been with the company for 2 years and my head is spinning from the number of reorgs, direction changes, layoffs, and the constant push to up targets, pull in deadlines and accelerate. This is not my first startup, and the pace is faster than anywhere I've been. This breeds confusion, burnout and has greatly distanced the upper management driving the ever-changing vision from the rank-and-file that are trying to keep up and keep the lights on. On a career advancement level, beware if you want to advance within the company. With constant layoffs there is little to no upward mobility, more managers than lower level folks, and layoffs or stagnation are more common than advancement. There is no room or time for professional development, so don't come here to grow skills, come here if you want to do a lot, and pack your resume with results. It will get you your next job at another company if you don't burn out first.