Associate Engineer Review

Poor, had difficulties with managers (not being there for my first few months, switching managers numerous times due to people leaving and changing projects). I was achieving way above and beyond and it was not rewarded in any way, coming off the scheme with a salary that is not competitive and is the same as all other graduates (therefore the salary is pushed even down as it is not engineering related salary despite being an engineer)
The actual projects I worked and lead on were interesting and very engaging but I had to fight my way into many of them.

System modelling, engineering design reviews, engineering queries, project scheduling, first-time engineering project reports.
Really enjoy leading engineering projects, hands-on engineering queries and supporting other people within teams and greater business.

My role did a good job of it but was not supported and was the main driver. Did not feel valued by management in some cases which was disappointed and damaged enthusiasm to continue going above and beyond. Compensation was not competitive.

The salary is very much not competitive when rolling off of a graduate scheme as everyone receives the same across the business unit no matter what sector they work in and where they are located. You are not rewarded for good work and pay is based off of a review a year prior close to when you started scheme.
Some benefits are good but vast majority of companies offer the same, if not more.

The role has provided me a vast amount of opportunities to drive towards chartership and provided a lot of confidence in my abilities. I have proved I can succeed highly on any project I am assigned and has given me the confidence and experience to carve my own future.

HR has provided little support on compensation matters
Line managers have often been non-communicative and have not supported when trying to have individual needs addressed with occupational health (seen across the board)
They are clamping down on employee connection groups, leaving employees isolated.
Mentor and Buddy schemes are good and provide a great support when entering the business for most people.

Work life balance is great. You have flexibility in working and time off which helps support mental wellbeing. This can be role dependent but for the most part is the same across the board.

The atmosphere can be quite good in teams however there is a large culture of people who have been in the company for a long time and will likely promote within their groups. Hybrid policies were quite good but have had people experience difficulties in being allowed despite being approved previously and often comes down to line manager. There is some great bubbles of people supporting and wanting to support but the company has been reducing capacity for employee support groups (networks and mental health support) which is disappointing and reduces the impression that the company values employees.

They provide training across the board to everyone. Some sectors have great employee resource groups that people can be involved in. Since starting my sector has vastly reduced support for these groups and therefore leaves employees who may feel isolated to feel even further so. On accessibility, I faced vast issues getting the referral needed however, once I received a report and had ethics support the company was good at honouring these suggestions.

No

Due to the difficult experiences I have faced and the lack of support on a graduate scheme followed by the very poor compensation received following the scheme, I strongly believe better opportunities exist elsewhere.
It is a great company to gain engineering knowledge and experience but the company needs to value its employees and their individual skills more.

I was not fully aware of what my role would entail when I joined and had very limited communications. Some was explained when I joined and members of my team were very supportive and helped me learn very quick and resulted in me being where of the most knowledgeable in the team