Naval Assurance Engineer Review

It has been a somewhat fast paced start with some opportunity to choose your own projects, although you get more freedom on that at time. There is a vibrant graduate community in the Bristol office and I do feel valued by the company.

I work across several projects. Initially they were mostly secretarial stuff, like minute taking, or menial tasks like searching through databases. This get's very dull quick, but as time goes on I get more responsibility for writing a report or managing client meetings. I enjoy working across different tasks rather than on one main task. I also enjoy site visits. I like managing my own time.

In the first 6 months the majority of my work has been menial or secretarial, and I think anyone, including an AI, could do these tasks so I don't see the contribution as very meaningful. However, some tasks have seen me writing sections of reports and presenting to clients, which is the most meaningful thing I can do towards teams. Other teams do give me more responsibility but this can be slow to start.

There is a culture that you always get paid for the work you do, and currently no expectation to work more than your required hours, plus overtime has to be approved so there is no pressure to work overtime. There is a decent range of perks, including pre-tax gym membership, and a good pension contribution. I feel like the pay is good for a graduate, however, it is starting to slip compared to other positions hiring for my experience or degree, so I think it is due an increase. The bonus scheme is generous although this will come in pro-rata and compared to your salary. Graduates receive more regular pay reviews which is a great incentive, however, if you join at the wrong time you will have to wait a few extra months for your first pay review which I feel is very unfair and goes against the logic of early careers pay reviews.

Generally, the skills you learn here and the clients you are exposed to are terrific for future development. If you are in a role that is in a sector that you want to advance into further in your career, there is not better place to gain experience. Slight negative if you choose a team and decide to move to a different sector but that can happen anywhere.

Early careers support is a bit hit and miss, especially if you join outside of the cycle but I think it is improving. Also, the company has been undergoing some restructure so there are just some questions that people aren't sure who to ask.
Mentorship is available for professional institutes, and you can spend assigned time finding or doing this. Or even mentoring outside of professional institutes. Support from other areas can be patchy as each team and project is structured differently, and this also depends on the person.

Great. fantastic community of young people and there is no culture of working over to finish things.

We've undergone big organisation change, so this has been changeable. There are company values, like every corporate place, but not many people know them or live by them. That's not to say people aren't well principled, work with integrity, honesty, and kindness. Generally, the atmosphere is positive and welcoming. A small number of more senior people can be very blunt and harsh, but when reported this is often dealt with.

Honestly, this is not a very diverse place to work. There are more diverse people joining as younger people, and there are teams of other majorities, but as an engineering company it still has a majority white male background. I haven't seen much hostility to other identities, but they need to be doing more radical things to bring in more diverse groups and perspectives and change older people's views on why diversity matters. Current initiatives seem a bit fluffy which to me indicates no real desire to change.

Yes

Huge diverse range of projects and it is full of very competent, very passionate professionals who are willing to help you grow.

I thought my role would involve more 'engineering', as in mathematics, designs, applying scientific ideas, and less paperwork and minute taking.