People-first branding did not match candidate experience - Candidate Experience Defense Unicorns Employee Review

I recently joined Defense Unicorns, and I can confidently say they are exactly who they say they are. In the two months I've been with the team, I have zero regrets. The level of ownership across the organization is high, and that kind of trust and autonomy is refreshing. Before coming on board, I did a deep dive into the company. I knew that at one point there had been a rightsizing after the company scaled a bit too quickly. What I appreciated most was how open and honest everyone was about it during the interview process. Every interviewer welcomed the question and spoke candidly about what happened and what the company learned from it. With the company having recently hit Series B and reaching a $1B valuation, it's an exciting time.

I don't have any cons to list. Although it's a remote-first company, the culture is very welcoming and it's easy to connect with team members across different department.

I’ve been with Defense Unicorns for about two years in a few different roles, and I can honestly say the mission and the people are what make it special. The company attracts some of the most capable and humble people I’ve ever worked with. Leadership trusts you early, and that trust deepens the longer you’re here. It’s a place that values thinkers and doers . . . if you like figuring things out, you’ll thrive. I’m proud of how much we focus on open source software and on making software delivery faster and more secure for the people who protect the country. The culture is mission-first most of the time, and that really matters.

Constant change can be tough. Things move fast, and there isn’t always a clear process or direction. Leadership acknowledges it, but the reality is that this is a startup and you either adapt and swim, or it’s probably not the right fit. Some reviews mention a “good ole boy network.” I get where that perception comes from, but my experience has been that trust is usually earned here. The “inner circle” isn’t closed, you just have to show initiative, build relationships, and deliver.