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Principles
We’ve found that we perform best as a team when we work together with some common principles.
Obsess over users
We win when we know the problem better than everyone else. We achieve this by deploying forward with our users where they are doing their work.
Obsess over mission impact
We generate as much mission impact as we can on every deployment. You can work anywhere. You work here to impact national security.
Operate with speed
Once you think you know the right thing to do, do it as fast as possible. Our advantage is iteration speed. We can build 20 versions before others deploy v1.
Own the outcome
Know the top 3 things that matter in your job and obsess over them until they are done and done right. You’ll make mistakes; that’s okay. Just make new mistakes.
Leave your ego at the door
We’re doing something new. It’s hard. We will all make mistakes. This is okay. Own your mistakes and communicate openly so we can all learn.
Operate with integrity
Make your kids, doggos, grandma, family, friends proud. When in doubt, always do what you think is right over what is expedient, easy, or comfortable.
Be transparent
If you’re communicating about something that involves multiple people, throw everyone in a channel or add them to a call. Inclusion leads to transparency and trust.
Put your wellbeing first
We have a team of high achievers that absorb a great amount of pressure to get the job done. Do not put Vannevar ahead of your health and well being.
Team of jedi
We’re building a team of jedi – excellent teammates that are the best at what they do. This can be immensely rewarding but requires that we separate when people aren’t a good fit.
Our Core Values
Mission first
We build, deploy, and iterate with our users in the national security space. We care deeply about generating mission wins and we solve problems for customers with maniacal focus.
Ownership mentality
We operate with speed and own the outcomes of our efforts. Our teams have autonomy and trust because we operate with an innate drive for excellence and impact. We create, improve, and iterate without being asked to do so, and we’re only satisfied by a meaningful outcome.
Humility
We move quickly, pivot when needed, and aren’t afraid to admit when we are wrong. We have low egos, don’t take things personally, and foster a working environment of mutual respect. This allows us to be innovative and resilient.
There’s a long history of collaboration between Silicon Valley and defense and the government. We’ve really been our best as a nation when that collaboration is really tight, if you think about World War II and the Space Race. And that’s the kind of legacy we’re referencing in the name Vannevar Labs.