Work until 2 AM? NVIDIA employees “work like hell” but can’t leave because the AI chipmaker uses “golden handcuffs” and lavish pay to keep them on the grind

Work until 2 AM? NVIDIA employees "work like hell" but can't leave because the AI chipmaker uses "golden handcuffs" and lavish pay to keep them on the grind

What you need to know

  • Employees at NVIDIA reportedly work round the clock through the week but get generous pay packages in return.
  • NVIDIA is now the most profitable chip brand and was briefly the world’s most valuable company, ahead of Apple and Microsoft. 
  • A former marketing employee at the company says she used to attend up to 10 meetings per day, which often turned into shouting matches.

As a seasoned professional with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of companies rising and falling like the tides. But NVIDIA, oh boy, they are in a league of their own! Having worked for tech giants myself, I can confidently say that the tales of NVIDIA’s work culture are nothing short of legendary.


“What are the primary factors that contribute to a company’s success? Generally, executives emphasize employee productivity and spirit as critical indicators. Consistent effort is also essential.”

In light of growing worries about artificial intelligence (AI) potentially replacing jobs held by professionals, Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index reveals a shift in hiring practices – employers are increasingly seeking candidates with proficiency in AI. Surprisingly, contrary to widespread assumptions, AI is generating more job openings; however, company leaders express worry over the scarcity of skilled talent needed to fill these positions within their organizations.

As per ex-CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, the tech giant appears to be falling behind competitors such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and NVIDIA in the AI competition. This, according to Schmidt, is due to Google’s focus on work-life balance and remote working policies over the pursuit of victory. He further suggested that the success of these startups stems from their employees’ relentless dedication.

Regardless of Microsoft and OpenAI’s substantial resources and skilled personnel, the CEO predicts that NVIDIA will emerge victorious in the AI competition, primarily due to the escalating demand for AI chips. Notably, NVIDIA is recognized as the most financially successful chip manufacturer globally, briefly surpassing Apple and Microsoft in market value.

How did it get to achieve these feats?

NVIDIA employees “work like hell”

Work until 2 AM? NVIDIA employees "work like hell" but can't leave because the AI chipmaker uses "golden handcuffs" and lavish pay to keep them on the grind

As per a report from the New York Post, NVIDIA staff members maintain a daily work schedule that extends into the early hours of the week, often leaving the office around 2 a.m. Yet, their dedication doesn’t go unrecognized. Multiple sources familiar with the situation suggest that employees are rewarded handsomely in terms of compensation.

Speaking with Bloomberg, a previous marketing team member from NVIDIA shared that she frequently participated in as many as 10 daily meetings, each comprising up to 30 individuals. These meetings were known to escalate into heated debates due to disagreements over ideas and strategies. Employees at NVIDIA characterize the company atmosphere as a “high-pressure environment.”

Even though NVIDIA’s working conditions were quite demanding, many employees chose to stay on board due to what a previous worker referred to as “golden handcuffs.” These handcuffs symbolize the attractive stock compensation plan offered by NVIDIA to its employees.

As stated by NVIDIA, approximately 17.7% of their workforce changes jobs each year. Interestingly, an ex-engineer from NVIDIA shared that employees who’ve been with the company for over a decade have sufficient savings for retirement but prefer to keep working due to more attractive incentives.

The engineer pointed out that NVIDIA’s parking lot often houses luxury cars such as Porsches, Corvettes, and Lamborghinis, and occasionally boasts of recently purchased vacation properties.

In other areas, it’s not just NVIDIA that is splurging funds for AI progress. A secret Microsoft salary list reveals that an AI software engineer can earn as much as $120,000 extra annually compared to a colleague working on Azure.

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2024-08-28 20:39