"Toxic" is right - Avis employé Employé (anonyme) Grove Instruments

The incredible scientific and technological challenge. The goal of being the first to reach the holy grail of diagnostic medicine. To be part of a team that will provide relief to half a billion diabetics. To be an engineer and have an opportunity not to design weapons of mass destruction, but devices to make lives better. Variety of duties. Working in a small team. Being intellectually challenged on a daily basis. I liked that it was not a typical 9-5 job - need to keep improving yourself all the time. The novel technology is phenomenally simple in theory; it is so easy to understand. Working on a project to be proud of.

Uncertainty of a start-up. Working against odds that often seem insurmountable. Inability to hire a sufficient number of highest quality experts, needed for this challenge. Many did not like that it was not a typical 9-5 job. If you do not like constant self-improvement, working for Grove is hell. The novel technology is phenomenally complicated in practice - it is easy to be discouraged by unsuccessful attempts to make something that no one has achieved before. Project too complex (and therefore moving slowly) to easily be able to get achievement satisfaction and morale boost. No possibility for advancement within the company. Only one person used to have the authority to make any decisions at any level. It is surprising that such a small group of very intelligent people was often totally mismanaged.

The company founders are great guys, but unfortunately don't have any authority to make things better. Interesting technology.

Worst management I've experienced in my 35+ years in this career field. Company culture is just outright mean and oppressive, a toxic environment to work in. If you aren't one of the small "inner circle", you are a nobody at Grove, and you never will be allowed into the inner circle. Engineering at Grove is nowhere near up to industry standards, and management doesn't seem to care at all. Avoid the hell of working here and stay far away if their recruiter calls on you!