Two Sigma vs Google
Those who have worked at both Google and Two Sigma, how would you compare the 2 companies? Which do you think was a better place to work in the end? Personally I feel Two Sigma is pretty overrated as a place for engineers and I'm considering a switch to Google, but don't know if it's just "grass is greener" mentality. Our infrastructure and internal tools are a bit of a mess. A lot of the work and "challenges" that we solve here are mainly about navigating around the poor infrastructure and security/regulatory requirements that wouldn't exist at most tech companies. Aka "How do we accomplish X, which is easily solved at big tech, while appeasing our infrastructure and security" People here seem to have more workload, responsibilities, and consequently stress too since teams are quite small. You might have 2 engineers working on a project that would be worked on by one or more teams at a big tech company. Basically you're getting paid about the same (maybe slightly higher depending on your competing offers) as Google, but have worse WLB. Our perks are worse no question. No free food and the 401k match is $5000 paid out over 4 years. Also you have to pre-clear any market trades you make with our Compliance team. The sentiment of the Two Sigma private blind channel seems pretty similar and based on some polls, about 75% would rather work at Google.
Is this only about infra engg though ? People seem to be giving amazing reviews about their Quant/Quant SWE and such opportunities are not available at Google
could you describe the WLB more for anyone considering Two Sigma?
In general WLB is encouraged here. But teams are small and you often have 1-2 people working on a product that would have an entire team or more at a big tech company. As a result, you'll end up working more if you want to get things done in a timely manner
I can say that Google infra is superior that although typical engineer does not work more that 8 hours a day, the productivity is way higher that engineers at other companies.
Yes I would say a place like Two Sigma is overrated if you’re immediately assuming it’s better than Google. There’s definitely a lot of menial work to be done if your firm happens to trade on as many exchanges and instruments as possible. That said wrt work load, I’ve met and spoken to several people who were Google L5s (or equivalent at other FAANG) who left for trading because they felt like the workflow was too slow and all the best problems were already solved. And depending on what firm you’re in your pay is less transparent in big tech. My advice would be look at smaller firms as well for options on top of big tech if you’re looking leave. A lot of the problems you have with Two Sigma are just problems that will come up inherently with larger headcount.
I definitely did not assume it'd be better than Google but I thought the infra would at least be on par with standard top tech companies. This is not the case. I feel like my problems with TS are actually more related to a smaller headcount. The smaller engineering resources we have may actually contribute to the poor infra since you just have enough time to get something working not necessarily the well-designed. And definitely the worse wlb is caused by smaller headcount
If you want bulletproof tooling and infra with super thorough documentation then yeah you’ll definitely find more of that in big tech. Wlb is always going to better in big tech on average if that’s a top priority for you.
What about TC?
OP, this was helpful, thanks! How are the first line managers and mid level management at 2s? I spoke to some manager at Citadel and was trying my best to resist punching him in the face..
Haven't been through that many managers but mine seems okay. My problems with 2s aren't directly with the people
All I know is that 2sigma is harder to get into than Google. Case in point me... I failed 2sigma, but cracked Google. This was 4 years ago, so I don't know what it's like today. But yeah, if you are smart enough to get into 2sigma, go for google, why not. Having 2-3 YOE at 2sigma and then 2-3 at Google, will be amazing.
That's only because there are fewer spots at TS so they're more selective. Judging from your name, you left Google. Do you mind sharing why? I don't really want to bounce around too much after my next move
Idk if that’s necessarily true. Google interviews have super wide variance because of the number of pure whiteboarding rounds and every interviewer comes up with their own problem. I know someone in 2S who failed Google. And for myself I found my Google interview about as hard as my Jane Street interview and from what I’ve read that’s definitely not typical.
OP pm me pls. Im interested in learning abt 2s
Wow that's really interesting. Thanks op for making me feel better about my 2s pre-interview rejection.