- Pros: The engineering team was genuinely impressive. The technical conversations were among the best I've had in any process — sharp people, thoughtful discussion, and a hiring manager I had real respect for. The technical bar and the quality of the engineers are clearly high. - Cons: The recruiting process let the engineering team down. Two things stood out: The leveling was inconsistent. I was interviewed against materials pointing to different levels (one guide indicated a higher level than the other), and the offer landed at the lower one. The explanation — that expectations were lowered because the team "saw potential" — didn't hold together logically, and left the actual reasoning unclear. The negotiation was also handled poorly. Ordinary, professional negotiation was characterized as "stupefying" and compared to "bazaar negotiation in Asian countries." Tying a candidate's negotiating style to their origin is something I'd strongly encourage the recruiting team to reflect on. When I later sent written feedback, the response dismissed it with a claim that didn't match the timeline. I ultimately declined. I'd have happily worked with the engineers; the process around them is what made me walk. - Advice to Management: Your engineering team is a real asset — make sure the recruiting and candidate experience matches their level. Be consistent on leveling, put commitments in writing, and be mindful that comments tying negotiation style to a candidate's background reflect on your employer brand.