Pros
The colleagues are genuinely sharp and passionate about the space. The people doing the day-to-day work are some of the brightest I've worked with, and that made the experience tolerable for as long as it lasted.
Cons
The fundamental problem at Fireworks AI starts at the top. The CEO operates with the belief that every employee is easily replaceable — a mindset that permeates every decision around hiring, retention, and how people are treated. There's little effort to invest in employees, develop talent, or build any real sense of loyalty or trust. When leadership sees headcount as interchangeable parts rather than people, it creates a culture of insecurity and low morale. Good people leave, and the ones who stay are left wondering when the axe will fall. For a company in a competitive space where talent is everything, this is a serious strategic mistake — not just a cultural one.