Speaking as an above average engineer, but not one of the super spectacular, I envy the work-life balance that many of these get to achieve, avoiding a lot of the slavish work tech startups often put them through. Even if they funded out of pocket, it would be a long hours, market pressured situation, where enough VC or big company money can still bury you despite brilliance.

I'm honestly not surprised some choose the good life at a big company - the world often doesn't treat such skilled people well.