Your approach to pay is really refreshing and attractive as an engineer, and also seems like the exact type of thing most VC or larger tech firms would really hate. That alone feels like evidence of your conviction
Ha! Well, I think our investors think we're very idiosyncratic -- but they also can't help but admire the results: a singular team, drawn in part by not having to worry about the Game of Thrones that is most corporate comp structures. ;)
Smaller teams will always win the communication overhead comparison even without thinking about organizational trees and therefore indirections too much. Communication is one of the biggest problems in organizations and the society, so more direct and therefore clearer communication can make the organization more efficient and keep the spirits high. It also doesn't hurt to have a team made only of extremely senior engineers or other professionals in their field. Even better, if those engineers are great personalities too. There is only one culprit: you have to have a very capable driver to put this powerful engine to good use so to say. If you drive the powerful engine in the wrong direction, you are actually putting more, not less distance between the destination and your current position. It seems, the goal for Oxide Computer is clear and I wholeheartedly wish you the best of luck.
I hope you are able to keep the investors convinced and stick with it! I'm a Swedish-American that's mostly lived in the US, but has been working back in Sweden for the last 4 years. I'm culturally mostly Californian, but the work atmosphere in Sweden is just less cut throat and much nicer. You pay with salary sure, but it's definitely worth it. Your descriptions on the website feel a bit similar.
I presume you wouldn't consider European remote given your PST timezone requirement, but I guess I'll consider your company one of those dream places to work were I to make my return to the US!
