What’s it like to work at Nvidia, a $3 billion AI chip maker with a storied work culture over 30 years in the making?
Long-time CEO Jensen Huang said in an interview this year that he rarely lays off workers but prefers to “torture workers to become bigger.” Turns out he wasn’t kidding.
Being the AI mastermind behind ChatGPT and other popular AI brands has led to Nvidia – and its authorized employees – benefiting financially from the AI boom. A June survey of more than 3,000 Nvidia employees (out of nearly 30,000) showed that 76% are millionaires and one in three have more than $20 million thanks to the company’s growth. Since October 2022, Nvidia’s stock has jumped more than 1,000%.
However, a Monday Bloomberg report revealed that while Nvidia’s boom may have created millions, its work culture and the expectations of those employees remain the same: “It’s a pressure cooker.”
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Ten current and former Nvidia employees who spoke to Bloomberg described working long hours, yelling and fighting in meetings, and vying for the attention of a boss who may have more than 100 other direct reports.
A former technical support worker at the business said he worked every day, including weekends, until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., and that his fellow engineers worked long hours. Some workers say they have at least seven meetings a day.
Employees who performed below normal were called to company-wide meetings. In December, Huang faced complaints from workers about their “retired” peers. He responded by asking all employees to be the CEO of their time.
Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Still, despite reports of a depressing workplace, Nvidia has had no problem retaining employees. The company’s sustainability report for fiscal year 2024 states that gross profit was 2.7% compared to the industry average of 17.7%.
Nvidia’s low profit margin may be due to the way it gives employees access to stock grants. The stock lasts for four years, so the employee gradually gains ownership of the award. So it is in the employee’s best interest to stick with the company to maximize benefits.
Nvidia is also a popular “flat” company, with small positions, which can make the company an attractive choice. Huang has 60 direct reports.
Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Turned Down a Merger Offer in the Company’s Early Days, According to Insiders. Here’s Why.
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