Make CDM Smith Great Again - Civil Engineer CDM Smith Employee Review

2.0
9 Aug 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Local and regional employees and management are second to none. I cannot overstate how great they are. They really care about what you are doing and are working to help you succeed. Local mentorship is incredible. Outstanding benefits, one of the last non-HSA engineering firms out there. Standard 401k options. Flexible work options, good work/life balance.

Cons

Upper management is inept at best. More recently the company has resembled a dumpster fire. Recently busted by Justice Department for giving bribes to officials in India, resulting in a forfeiture of profits. CEO is retiring, future CEO does not even have his PE. Total lack of engagement of corporate with local employees. Many mid-level employees are fleeing/retiring in droves; those that remain were treated to a layoff of approximately 5% of the company workforce. Insane focus on utilization; your fate is determined by how your number looks. Morale of local employees could not be lower. Management does not plan well. A few years ago, with much fanfare, corporate announced a plan to double transportation work in the US. However, two years later, we learned that they did not actually create a strategic plan to do so. Switch away from land line phones, combined with downgrades in internet service (less than mobile 4G speeds) results in frequent VoIP problems, which isn't great for client relations.

Explore other reviews about CDM Smith

5.0
22 Apr 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
18 Jun 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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