Pros
Domain knowledge — you'll def leave with more domain knowledge then you come with. You might make solid friends and meet talented people in your team and beyond.
Kontras
Working at UnderDefense was one of the most disappointing experiences in my career. The company has no real structure, no clear processes, and absolutely no respect for people’s time, skills, or well-being. Leadership is the biggest issue. The CEO and VP of Engineering (who happen to be best friends) run the company with no accountability and treat employees like they’re disposable. It’s not just bad management — it’s a toxic, ego-driven environment where feedback isn’t welcome and subject matter experts are constantly ignored. One-on-one meetings with the CEO were unprofessional, to say the least — full of irrelevant rants, inappropriate jokes, and personal opinions that had nothing to do with work. Meanwhile, the VP openly mocked other departments in front of the team. That pretty much sums up the company culture: public shaming, zero support, and favoritism. They push for big results with no resources. One example: they ran an internal “AI contest” with no tools, no budget, and offered a $100 prize for the best use case. When no one engaged, the CEO said if we didn’t care about money, we were overpaid. That’s the kind of leadership mindset you're dealing with. I didn’t meet a single person who left this place on good terms or with anything positive to say about the management. If you're looking for a stable, respectful, or even just functional workplace — look elsewhere.
