They're likely pushing you out, or you're just folding under pressure. The game is different at big tech. It's bureaucratic, it's political and it's heartless.

They're likely pushing you out, or you're just folding under pressure. The game is different at big tech. It's bureaucratic, it's political and it's heartless. Are you expecting people to be singing your praises constantly after becoming a CTO at a FAANG? Forget that - you're just as nameless as you are before, except now if you propose to give a talk somewhere, you're more likely to be given the OK. CTO's are a dime a dozen, but now you're a FAANG CTO which helps, but also will probably be dialing your imposter syndrome to 11. If the culture's changed and the golden handcuffs aren't very thick, I'd jump to a CTO of a non-profit or something you're passionate in - that is, if you've got FU money from the acquisition. There's going to be more CTO's than companies with the recession, so it's going to be tough. You're also probably burnt out. Any acquisition is tough, and it just gets even harder post acquisition - the parent company wants it's pound of flesh, and they're not afraid to ask for it. Luckily you won't be the first on the chopping block unless it's clearly a technical limitation of the platform or product, it'll be the CEO. Sales are all that matter after most acquisitions, unless they're absorbing your product - in which case you're going to become a "Director Of Engineering - <Product>" very soon. Engage an executive mentor, because it looks like you don't have one given where you're posting. Find someone who's served as a technical C-level (CIO in the 90's, CEO of a tech company, CTO of anywhere), and talk. It's lonely at the top, and you need to find your allies.