Is leaving Big Tech for learning a mistake?

I recently decided to leave consumer hardware at a FAANG company to join a smaller Autonomous Vehicles company looking to scale its product. I'm taking roughly a 10% pay cut with flat leveling (senior).

I'm fortunate enough to be in a financial position where I believe I can take this risk (no FIRE though), so I'm prioritizing new challenges and different work over maximizing compensation. My company has constant layoffs, a challenging work culture, but work has been very mundane and couldn't get promoted due to reorgs, and a top heavy team.

But a part of me has this nagging feeling I may have a regression in my future career due to the decision primarily for a few reasons.

Flat leveling at a smaller company (I've never been a strong interviewer)

While new industry for me (AV), may not be stable long term.

Just curious as to what people's thoughts are here?

Note: I'm 35M, no kids yet if that adds context to the discussion.

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