Low salaries, no relocation and lacks opportunities. - Project Engineer ALTEN Employee Review

1.0
May 4, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The london office is very pleasant.

Cons

The UK side of the business is run by young inexperienced personnel and because fo this, they appear to be playing catch-up rather than anticipating the future. Staff retention is very low. They are willing to hire most young grads on a permanent contract but charge the client contractor fees (£40/ph). These grads then get moved around the country with no relocation expenses. After a maximum of 1.5 years, they realise that they can get far better elsewhere despite the "opportunities" presented by Alten. I would seriously avoid this company.

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ALTEN Response
5y
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Receiving regular feedback is key for Alten to ensure a long lasting development and continue to find ways to improve. I would like to address a few of your specific points here, as some of the comments need to be clarified with accuracy. I will not particularly address the comment on the fact that the company is “run by young inexperienced personnel”, as in only 5 minutes and 2 clicks on LinkedIn, anyone can see for themselves the experience and seniority of our top management. ALTEN prides itself as being a company who provides a chance for graduates and young people to join from entry-level roles and have a fast-track career development. That being said, it would not be realistic nor sustainable to only or mostly hire young graduates, as we need to demonstrate high-level expertise to our clients. To provide a bit of facts, last year, the young graduates represented 20 to 25% of our total number of hires. We actually achieved a lot towards developing and strengthening our expertise over the last few years, having put in place a robust Technical Direction, hence being trusted to deliver large-scale work packages for some premium clients in the UK. I would also like to clarify that we do not “move people around the country”. Mobility is something we promote within Alten UK and at Group level, however we do not enforce it and have no interest in doing so. We have many customer sites within the UK with a vast amount of exciting projects. Managers will present potential project opportunities to their employees if they think they could have an interest in it and will take into consideration any concerns the engineer might have, i.e. relocating to a different part of the UK. ALTEN does provide support to any employee who chooses to relocate whether it be for a new project or for personal reasons. Thank you again for your feedback, please be sure that we are committed to continuously improving and we will take all your points on board.

Explore other reviews about ALTEN

5.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I have been with the company for several years and have had a very positive experience overall. The company offers strong opportunities for career growth, especially for employees who are proactive, take ownership, and consistently deliver results. Internal mobility and leadership opportunities are available for those looking to advance their careers. Compensation is competitive within the industry, and performance is generally recognized and rewarded. While there is always room for improvement, I feel that the company provides fair compensation and good opportunities to increase earnings through career progression. Management is supportive and accessible. As with any growing organization, I have found leadership to be committed to employee development and business success. There is a strong entrepreneurial culture that encourages initiative and accountability. One of the biggest strengths of the company is the variety of projects and clients. Employees have the opportunity to work across different industries, technologies, and business environments, which helps accelerate professional development and keeps the work interesting. Pros: * Strong career development opportunities * Diverse and challenging projects * Supportive and entrepreneurial culture * Exposure to a wide range of industries and clients Overall, I would recommend this company to professionals looking for growth, responsibility, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Cons

Fast-paced environment that requires adaptability High expectations for performance and ownership

5.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

4+ years as a Business Manager at Alten, starting in Paris and now based in California and I have zero regrets. The career growth is real. You're given autonomy, your efforts are recognized, and the opportunities follow if you put in the work. The company has the network and the scale to open doors that others can't. Highly recommend for anyone ambitious and looking to build something long-term.

Cons

Fast-paced environment, not for everyone

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