Waiting in line to die - Project Engineer AECOM Employee Review

2.0
23 Oct 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I get a paycheck every other week. It's enough to survive in Manhattan on. The projects are actually decently interesting. I have learned a lot, and gotten some good experience for my resume ;-). And now that my 401k vested, it's time to put that experience to work.

Cons

The company is completely disfunctional. Engineers are expected to do the Accountants' jobs. What the accountants actually do makes no sense, and only makes your life more difficult. It takes a month to get the 6 approvals necessary to install new software on your computer. Internal competition is rampant. Offices directly compete with each other over work. The idea of "working on a team" is non-existent. Opportunity for advancement is minimal. As a technical person you become "the guy" of something, but have no opportunity to ever do anything else, which is not exactly what a 25 year old engineer is looking to do. The other option is to become a Project Manager which is a High Risk/Low Reward position. Basically, the only way I've seen the company win projects is to vastly under-price the work. It then becomes the PM's job to pick up the pieces. And when the project inevitably loses money, it's the PM's fault. If by some miracle you do manage to finish a project on schedule and budget, there is no reward. I really don't understand how this company can be making money. Basically, working here is like waiting in line to die. I'm still alive, but what's the point. I look at people who have been working here for a long time and either feel sorry for them, or want to throw up. Time to move on.

Explore other reviews about AECOM

5.0
31 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Decent pay 4 weeks paid parental leave 3 months maternity leave Good variety on projects

Cons

Could pay more Benefits aren't great/expensive Office management varies

3.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Decent company, good stock plan, good people who want to see you grow

Cons

Very remote management makes things hard, very little team work is locally siloed so its hard for managers to understand the boots on the ground view. Managers are great people but spread very thin, sometimes they accept work before having staff for it(classic consulting move)

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All