There is a really significant issue with progression at Frontiers, and the approach to growth and promotions is unorthodox to the point where they must expect really high levels of attrition. In Production, to be promoted from Specialist to Senior Specialist you need to have been in the role for a minimum of 18 months. You have to write an extensive and detailed application for the promotion, and it can only be submitted during the application period which is once a year. If, for example, you have been at Specialist level for 17 months at this point, you will not be considered must wait until the next year to apply (at which point it's worth noting that you will have been at the same level, with minimal pay increase, for two and a half years). In order to even submit the application, you also need to have achieved 'high performer' status for the previous year, which is an extremely competitive process (a limited number of people in your team can be labelled high performer regardless of ability). And finally, after you have successfully jumped through these hoops, a very, very small number of people are promoted - the exact reasons and boundaries for their choices aren't shared, but to say it is competitive is an understatement. And, if you are unsuccessful, you must again stay at the same level for 12 more months.
For transparency, I left the company in April this year after finding out that I was not promoted in October the year previous. I left because, even though I loved the company, I couldn't justify being underpaid for another 12 months without any guarantee of progression at the other side. A friend of mine at the company, who is an extremely high performer and an exemplary employee, has recently found out the they were also unsuccessful in their application for promotion, which is prompting me to share this review.
It should not be the case that you need to effectively 'audition' to be offered any form of progression. This process does not effectively consider merit because the applications are reviewed independently and without taking into account your performance, meaning that if your essay writing skills aren't as good as someone else, you might be stuck for another 12 months without a pay increase or any demonstrable progression in your profile to advance your career.
If you, prospective employee, are someone that wants to progress within the company and move up through the ranks, this is sadly not place to do that at the moment. This is worth considering when applying to Frontiers.
