Startup Engineering

Realities of working with startups

Working for startups has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I've had as an engineer. The challenges? There are a lot. And I'm not exaggerating. But despite everything, I wholeheartedly recommend working for startups. Why? Let me explain.

You wear a lot of hats

In startups, job titles mean little. One day you're coding; the next, you're troubleshooting a server, brainstorming product ideas, or even handling support tickets. It's overwhelming at first, but this unpredictability becomes one of the best parts. You're always learning, always adapting, and building skills you never imagined you'd need. As an engineer, your eagerness to learn will be one of the key drivers of your success.

The After Hours

With startups, you'll often find yourself working after hours. No one is forcing you, but somehow, you catch yourself diving into the project on a random evening or weekend. At first, it might feel unusual — why put in extra time beyond your scheduled hours? But then you realize: it's not just work, it's passion. It's not about being told to do more, it's about wanting to. The energy within the team is contagious, and those extra hours, instead of draining you, leave you feeling fulfilled and connected to something much bigger than yourself.

Bigger Accountability

In a small team, you get bigger accountability. With fewer people, you often have to take on more than you might expect. You might find yourself wearing multiple hats, and sometimes the pressure can feel intense. You could even end up working closely with the founder or CEO, which means bigger responsibilities. But here's the thing: that's also the best part. Every win is celebrated, every effort recognized. You get to see the direct impact of your work, and that makes all the extra responsibility feel worthwhile.

If you value structure and predictability, startups might not be your thing. But if you're someone who thrives on challenges, loves learning, and wants your work to matter, you'll feel right at home.

So take the leap. It might be messy, it might be the most challenging work youll ever do, but from one engineer to another - it's worth it.