[ImportOllie]

There's lots of good advice here already but one thing I don't see suggested is whether this might be laying the groundwork to let you go... and that might not be related at all to your ability as an engineer/developer.

It's not uncommon for companies to use "Performance Improvement Plans" as a structure for this. You get set targets that are difficult to reach and when you don't reach them, they conclude you're not a good fit. They're awful.

My advice would be to look out for this. If it starts being mentioned, it's time to start looking for work elsewhere. Try not to buy into the idea you're no good, they never fostered the opportunity for you to be excellent.

I'm sorry to read your experience so far. You seem passionate and willing. While it'd be proactive of you to look at other projects it's a red flag to me your manager would be critical that you didn't think to do that... why would you? They should be setting the standard and it's pretty clear from their comms they're not.

Best of luck.

[devoutsalsa]

I was on the path to a PIP at one company. They put me on the team of a manager that had recommended against hiring me. He gave me impossible tasks and actively subverted my success. It was pure hell.

When I finally got to the point where I was failing to meet the goals, I got dragged down into a recorded video chat with my boss and his boss. They pulled out a job description I’d never seen and outlined point by point how I was failing.

When I put on the PIP, I went straight to HR. I complained about how I had been completely screwed, was super pissed, and suggested they pay me to resign. I’d only been there about 5 months, so the best I could get was 30 days severance.

I left, interviewed like crazy, and has a job within 30 days that paid 25% more.

[delgaudm]

>When I put on the PIP, I went straight to HR. I complained about how I had been completely screwed, was super pissed, and suggested they pay me to resign.

You were lucky to get 30 days. Bear in mind HR works for the company, not you. In general, when you talk to HR expect them to act in a way to protect the company, not you, and keep HR's bosses happy, not you. Your complaint went right to the boss, and they conspired to use that as further motivation to see you out of the company in any way legally possible.