Average - not bad for gaining a few years' technical experience
Pros
• Bone fide engineering firm with good multidisciplinary projects • Some projects very interesting / rewarding, with good opportunities to gain quality technical experience • Well equipped with good technical resources, software, and systems / processes • Some of the senior/principal engineers and management are very talented and knowledgeable
Cons
• Chronic problem with under-cutting at bid stage, followed by inevitable problems staying within budget/schedule after projects begin. Frequently leads to a breakdown of the client/contractor relationship. • The level of competence among some members of the Project / Functional management is astoundingly bad. Some of them are among the dumbest people I have ever met. • Many projects develop a vicious culture of bullying and/or blame, which is incredibly damaging for the victims' careers - often occurring as a result of the problems described above, with junior staff being sacrificed to appease the client and save the managers. • Management will always side with the client, and never protect or advocate for their own staff. This includes over cases of bullying, discrimination, intimidation, and sexual harassment. • No prospects of career progression. The company will almost always hire in new staff instead of promoting from within. This is to maximise profit - the longer they can keep you on at a low salary, the better it is for their balance sheet. • Pay is terrible. Absolutely no prospect of fair salary negotiation whatsoever.
