Beware and if you must - ask plenty of detailed questions during your interview. - Design Lead Jacobs Employee Review

3.0
Sep 7, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You do not need to have much experience to be hired, but be prepared to receive a low paying salary with plenty of responsibility and accountablity. Jacobs will pay for your annual membership dues to (1) professional membership. 401k plan is good since it is managed by Vanguard. Jacobs matches 50% for your first 6% of contributions. You are allowed to contribute up to 18% of salary.

Cons

Seems as though all projects have small budgets and aggresive schedules. You will continually find yourself multi-tasking between a minimum of 3 different project accounts at any one time. Avoid being in a position where you are having to charge 20 or more hours to general time in one week. If this happens- you will "kindly" be asked to leave. Management will never let you forget that the customer/client is always right -all of the time. Even in design related matters. This gets pretty sticky when you have to sign-seal construction documents. When this happens be prepared. The burden of proof will be on you as to why you are in disagreement with the customer/client. Saw many professionals leave on this one issue alone. You get 3 weeks of annual vaction time but scheduling them always turns out to be a problem with your project supervisors. Policy: If you are "lucky" (LOL) enough to be working on a project that includes out of town travel - you will be asked to only charge to the actual time spent working on the project. Your commute time cannot be charged as time worked. You will be reimbersed for rental car, airfare, meals or hotel. Health Benefits: The health benefits sucks! Your monthly contribution for a family plan will be way high. Somewhere around $500/month. Hopefully you have a spouse with a better plan.

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5.0
May 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Professional high end services company

Cons

No bonuses and rewards for above & beyond achievements

4.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is a good work-life balance

Cons

No parking budget. No bonus. Potential night work

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