Extreme Difference in Quality of Workforce - Engineer CDM Smith Employee Review

3.0
Jun 1, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting projects. Global company. Privately held. Opportunities.

Cons

Lots of older workers who want the status quo despite flat line revenue growth for the past five years. Lots of fiefdoms. Older workers are in management because of engineering successes yet do not have a clue as to how to manage. Old school. Poor systems - nothing integrated. Newer workers are better but overall staff is B quality due to old school system for retention. Name is not widely known so perspective employers are not that impressed as I am finding out.

Explore other reviews about CDM Smith

5.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Lots of training and opportunities

Cons

Company structure can be confusing

1
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CDM Smith Response
3w
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review! It was great to have you as an employee and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
2.0
Jun 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible hybrid schedule is very nice and starting salary is high for early career engineers.

Cons

The main people running the company are not engineers and you can tell. They are all focused on utilization with rates often set at 97% or higher. This had led to my supervisor asking/telling me to not charge company required trainings. As an early engineer it really feels like they don't want to invest in me and only care about their bottom line. If you are an early career structural engineer you will also not get any meaningful work until you've been with the company for at least 5 years. The senior engineers do not trust you and will only give you grunt work.

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