Chakr Innovation is a cleantech company focused on air pollution control and emissions-capture technologies for diesel generators and industrial combustion sources. The company develops retrofit devices and emissions-management systems that capture p...
I spoke with several current and former employees to get a feel for working at Chakr Innovation. Many praised the mission-driven nature of the work and said they felt proud of the environmental impact projects. One engineer mentioned, “You’ll get to build things that matter, and the small team vibe means your work shows quickly.” A product designer said the feedback loop is fast and collaborative, though resources can be tight at times. A few former staff noted that early-career roles offered steep learning curves: “You learn a lot fast, but you also wear many hats.”
These voices give a balanced picture: people enjoy the sense of purpose and close-knit teams, but some found the fast pace and evolving processes challenging. If you search for company culture at Chakr Innovation or working at Chakr Innovation, these themes keep coming up—mission-led work, energetic teams, and room to grow.
The company culture at Chakr Innovation leans toward mission-first and innovation-driven. Teams tend to be small and cross-functional, so collaboration is a daily habit. There is an emphasis on sustainability and creating tangible environmental benefits, which shapes decision making and internal communications. Casual dress, open discussions, and a focus on results over formality are common.
That said, culture varies between departments. Engineering and R&D groups tend to be experimental and iterative, while operations and sales often feel more deadline-driven. The company values transparency in principle, and many employees reported open town halls and Q&A sessions with leadership, which helps make the company culture at Chakr Innovation feel accessible.
Work-life balance at Chakr Innovation is a mixed bag. Many employees say work-life balance at Chakr Innovation improves once processes stabilize and teams scale, but in periods of product launches or funding rounds, longer hours are expected. Several staff appreciated that managers try to be understanding about personal commitments, and flexible hours are often possible.
If you prefer a predictable 9–5 routine, this might not be the best fit during high-intensity phases. However, if you value flexibility and are comfortable adjusting your schedule for project needs, working at Chakr Innovation can provide meaningful balance and autonomy.
Job security is generally steady but tied closely to funding cycles and project milestones. There is a dependency on grant awards, pilot programs, and commercial deals that can affect resourcing plans. Employees report that leadership communicates changes early, and there is an effort to reassign people rather than immediate layoffs when priorities shift.
Overall, you will find reasonable job security in core, mission-critical roles. Contract and temporary positions are more vulnerable to fluctuations, and candidates should clarify role expectations during interviews.
Leadership projects a clear mission and shows commitment to sustainability goals. Management style is pragmatic; leaders push for quick experimentation and iterative improvements. There are regular updates from the executive team and visible involvement in major product discussions.
There is room for improvement in process maturity and delegated decision-making. Some employees feel that middle management could benefit from clearer role definitions and more structured performance feedback. Still, leaders are generally approachable and accessible.
Managers are often described as passionate and hands-on. Many managers act as mentors, helping team members grow technically and professionally. Reviews note that some managers thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous situations while others may struggle with prioritization when resources are limited.
Direct managers typically receive positive marks for availability and one-on-one support. A few reviews recommend selecting managers who align with your preferred working style—those who are more coaching-oriented versus task-oriented.
Learning and development opportunities exist but are more self-directed than formalized. Employees often learn on the job via project ownership, internal knowledge sharing, and mentorship. There are occasional workshops and budget for external training, but the scale is smaller compared to larger corporations.
If you want structured training programs, you will need to advocate for dedicated time and resources. For self-starters, the environment offers rich practical experience and cross-functional exposure.
Promotions are available but tied to demonstrable impact and business needs. Growth tends to be meritocratic: those who take ownership of projects and show measurable outcomes advance faster. However, because teams are lean, vertical moves can be limited; lateral moves to broaden skills are common and often encouraged.
You will find faster promotions in high-growth areas where new roles are being created, while established teams may offer slower progression.
Salary ranges are competitive for a mid-stage, mission-driven company but typically below large tech giants. Junior engineering roles and operations associate positions fall in modest bands, while senior technical and managerial roles command higher pay reflecting market rates. Compensation packages may include a mix of base salary, equity, and performance bonuses.
Candidates should research market benchmarks and discuss total compensation, including equity, during the offer stage.
Bonuses and incentives are offered selectively and often linked to company milestones or individual performance. There are discretionary bonuses when funding or revenue targets are met, and some teams have spot awards for exceptional contributions. Equity or stock options are commonly part of the package for key hires.
You will want to get clarity on bonus structures during hiring conversations since they are not as formulaic as at larger firms.
Health and insurance benefits are standard but can vary by location and seniority. Basic medical coverage, paid time off, and parental leave are generally provided. Some employees reported that benefits improved as the company scaled and secured more funding.
If comprehensive benefits are a top priority, you will want to confirm specific plans, eligibility, and employer contribution levels before accepting an offer.
Employee engagement is active and community-focused. Regular town halls, hack days, volunteer events, and small team outings help build camaraderie. Events are often tied to the company’s sustainability mission, such as local cleanups or educational workshops.
These activities help sustain morale and give employees chances to bond outside day-to-day work.
Remote work support is flexible but evolving. Many roles allow hybrid or fully remote arrangements, depending on team needs. Remote tools, documentation practices, and regular check-ins are in place, though some teams rely more on in-person collaboration, especially for hardware or lab-based work.
Remote employees report good communication but advise clarifying expectations about meeting times and availability.
Average working hours tend to be around 40–50 hours weekly, with spikes during launches and pilot deployments. Some teams maintain steadier schedules while others expect occasional extended hours.
Attrition appears moderate and is influenced by growth phases and funding events. There is no widely reported history of mass layoffs; when restructuring happens, leadership tends to redeploy talent where possible. Turnover is higher in contract roles and during intense scaling periods.
Overall, Chakr Innovation is rated positively by many employees for its strong mission, collaborative culture, and hands-on learning opportunities. You will find a dynamic workplace with meaningful impact, balanced by the typical trade-offs of a fast-growing, resource-aware company. If you value purpose-driven work and rapid learning, this company is worth exploring.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Chakr Innovation
Mission-driven team and hands-on product work at Chakr Innovation; supportive manager who lets you experiment.
Compensation is below market for the role and raises are slow. Sometimes roles overlap and responsibilities aren't clearly defined, which causes stress during delivery sprints.
