Canoo Employees Reviews, Feedback, Testimonials

Employee Testimonials

“I loved the mission — building electric vehicles felt energizing — but things could be chaotic.” That sums up many voices you will hear when reading about working at Canoo. Employees often highlight the product passion: folks say they enjoyed solving hardware-software challenges and working with smart, driven teammates. Others note frustration with shifting priorities and frequent reorganizations. You will find both long-tenured engineers who value deep technical work and short-term hires who felt onboarding could have been smoother. Overall, the testimonials paint a picture of a place where the work is meaningful but the execution can be uneven.

Company Culture

The company culture at Canoo leans start-up: energetic, fast-paced, and mission-oriented. People talk about a “do-it-yourself” spirit where cross-functional collaboration is common and titles sometimes matter less than contributions. At times the culture is described as intense, with a bias for speed over process. This can be exhilarating if you like rapid problem solving, but it can be stressful if you prefer clear systems and stability. In short, company culture at Canoo rewards adaptability and hands-on involvement.

Work-Life Balance

You will hear mixed opinions on work-life balance at Canoo. Some employees say they were able to maintain healthy boundaries, especially in roles with defined project scopes. Others report periods of long hours around product deadlines or funding milestones. If you are considering working at Canoo, expect variability: there will be weeks when you can disconnect, and weeks where you will need to push hard. The way teams prioritize and manage schedules often determines whether you experience a sustainable balance.

Job Security

Job security at Canoo has been a concern for many former and current employees. The company has undergone several rounds of strategic pivots and cost-cutting measures, which have affected headcount and role stability. Prospective hires should be aware that, compared to established corporations, there is a higher degree of risk. That said, core technical and product roles tied directly to critical projects have tended to be more secure than peripheral functions.

Leadership and Management

Leadership at Canoo is often praised for its vision and technical credibility. Executives are credited with clear ambitions for product innovation and market disruption. However, management has also been critiqued for a tendency toward frequent strategic changes and for not always communicating the rationale behind pivots effectively. There is a perception that decision-making can be top-down in high-pressure moments, which sometimes slows cross-team alignment.

Manager Reviews

Managers at mid-level generally receive positive reviews for being hands-on and technically knowledgeable. They are described as accessible and willing to mentor engineering talent. Where criticism appears, it centers on inconsistent feedback and uneven people management skills across different teams. If you value clear expectations and regular development conversations, it will help to ask about a manager’s style during interviews.

Learning & Development

Learning and development opportunities exist but are not uniformly structured. Employees report on-the-job learning through cross-functional projects, which is a major avenue for skill growth. Formal training programs are less prominent; there are occasional workshops and external course reimbursements, but those vary by team and budget. If you are eager to learn, Canoo will offer real-world, fast-paced exposure; if you need formal career training, you will likely have to seek or request it proactively.

Opportunities for Promotions

Promotion paths are available but can be opaque. Employees who deliver on visible, high-impact projects are the most likely to move up. Formal performance review cycles exist, yet some employees say that promotions are sometimes influenced by company priorities rather than a consistent competency framework. Clear communication about career milestones will help candidates and employees navigate advancement.

Salary Ranges

Salaries at Canoo tend to be competitive for a smaller EV startup but generally lower than large tech giants. Estimated base pay ranges (approximate, USD):

• Entry-level/Technician: $50,000–$75,000
• Mid-level Engineer: $85,000–$140,000
• Senior Engineer/Lead: $140,000–$200,000
• Senior management: $180,000–$300,000+ These ranges will vary by location, experience, and market conditions. Total compensation may include equity components which can alter take-home value substantially.

Bonuses & Incentives

Bonuses and incentives are offered but are often tied to company performance and role. Short-term cash bonuses exist for some positions, while longer-term equity or stock options are a common incentive for employees. Payouts can be variable, and employees should confirm bonus structures during negotiation. Performance-based incentives are more common for technical and leadership roles.

Health and Insurance Benefits

Health benefits at Canoo typically include medical, dental, and vision plans, plus standard disability and life insurance options. The level of coverage and employer contribution can vary. Employees report that benefits meet market standards for startups, but some expressed a desire for more robust parental leave and mental health support. Prospective hires should review the benefits summary carefully.

Employee Engagement and Events

Employee engagement activities are present but modest. Teams organize hackathons, demo days, and informal social events to keep morale high. Company-wide town halls and Q&A sessions are used to share updates. Engagement levels fluctuate with business cycles; when budgets are tight, events are scaled back.

Remote Work Support

Remote work support is available but limited by the nature of hardware development. Engineering and office roles sometimes offer hybrid arrangements, while manufacturing and lab roles require on-site presence. The company provides standard remote tools and occasional stipends, but remote-first culture is not the default.

Average Working Hours

Average working hours vary by function. Many salaried employees report a baseline of 40–45 hours per week, with surges up to 55–60 hours during crunch times. Shift-based and manufacturing roles have more consistent schedules. Expect variability depending on deadlines and project stage.

Attrition Rate & Layoff History

Canoo has experienced notable turnover and has implemented layoffs in response to financial and strategic pressures in recent years. Attrition rates have been higher than established industry averages at certain times. Candidates should factor historical volatility into their decision-making and assess risk tolerance.

Overall Company Rating

Overall, Canoo is a stimulating place for people passionate about electric vehicles and hands-on product work. Strengths include mission-driven projects, talented peers, and real technical challenges. Weaknesses involve organizational consistency, job stability, and sometimes limited formal development programs. If you thrive in fast-moving environments and accept some uncertainty, Canoo can be rewarding. If you prefer clear processes, stable long-term security, and predictable career ladders, you may find it less of a fit.