[nvarsj]

I kind of agree with you. Having worked at HFT and now FAANG, I found HFT more satisfying and challenging overall - although it did have its issues, which is why I left.

It's like a start up / small company culture with great compensation - you have a direct impact very easily and it's obvious when others aren't pulling their weight. The one I joined had 10 hours a day (8-6) in the contract, but no one worked more than 8 hours in the office and they actually had very flexible hours as long as you delivered.

FAANG pays well but it is plagued with big company issues which can be very frustrating to talented engineers who just want to get stuff done.