Hard to climb the ladder - GIS Specialist CDM Smith Employee Review

4.0
May 10, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Awesome learning experiences and a relaxed and great culture/atmosphere. Everyone feels more like a family than just coworkers with a ton of resources. A great PTO benefit compared to other similar jobs.

Cons

If you get hired in entry it's hard to climb. If with a promotion the pay is hard to match your gained experience.

Explore other reviews about CDM Smith

5.0
Jul 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Opportunities for growth Fellow employees Autonomous work environment

Cons

None. It is a great company.

2.0
Jun 18, 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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