A welcoming, oversized startup that somehow works - Head of Engineering Octopus Energy Employee Review

5.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The culture here is genuinely impressive. The values of a "growth mindset" and "freedom and responsibility" are truly reflected in decisions across the business. There is a refreshing aversion to heavy-handed policy. You are trusted to take ownership of your work, and you are provided with the right tools and guidance to be successful. We have an excellent tech stack and a good approach to coding practices, which allows us to move fast. The staff are incredibly welcoming, and there is a shared drive to deliver real value for our customers, the environment, and the business.

Cons

Because we’ve grown while still clinging to that "scrappy startup" mindset, which made us great, we’ve developed a bit of an reticence to structure. We’ve cultivated a culture of high autonomy, which is great for team-level speed, but it creates real friction when you need to coordinate more broadly. As we’ve matured, it’s become surprisingly difficult to kick off projects that span different teams. The "overhead" of figuring out who to talk to, finding the right documentation, or aligning on goals can be a hurdle. When the path forward isn't clearly mapped, it’s all too easy for people to hesitate or just stick to their own lanes, rather than tackling those broader opportunities.

Explore other reviews about Octopus Energy

5.0
Dec 7, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good leave, steady employement, enough lateral movement

Cons

lots of politics, people can be nosey, leadership is a good ol boys club

1
1.0
Dec 13, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some members of the company are the best people you’ll ever meet.

Cons

Genuinely a complete mess. Incompetent, passive aggressive leadership that repeatedly makes both poor and confusing company decisions. I have some absolutely crazy stories from things I’ve witnessed here. There’s things that are so bizarre and dysfunctional, they belong in an alternate reality.

7
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