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Solar Turbines

Part of Caterpillar

Is this your company?

Solar Turbines is becoming a regular company just like many others - Senior Engineer Solar Turbines Employee Review

3.0
Sep 26, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get to learn Gas Turbine Technology and Systems, PLC Controls, and Gas Compressors. Solar is your ticket to other and better companies in the Oil and Gas Industry so USE Solar Turbines as a Stepping stone only.

Cons

Lack of Leadership, they are becoming just another company in the neighborhood. Managers don't have a clue and People get promoted by the use of the "Buddy System" or Brown Nosing. Some Technologies are outdated. Lack of Opportunities If you work in a Field Office or as Field Service Representative, The only People to get promotions are People in the San Diego Headquarters and only those who "High Five" Managers and People around. Solar Turbines is failing to reward and keep the best talent. If you are an ExPat please forget about Immigration/Green Card as It may take years based on Solar's Lack of strategy or Prompt Sponsorship.

Explore other reviews about Solar Turbines

5.0
Jul 2, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Culture, Good people, good experience

Cons

Any manufacturing place will have the typical downsides

3.0
Jun 22, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Strong benefits package: Holiday shutdown, competitive perks, and the advantages that come with being part of a large, well‑resourced company. - Paid parental leave (new): 16 weeks of paid leave, which is better than many companies in the industry. - Good healthcare options: Solid medical, dental, and vision coverage at a reasonable cost. - Annual bonus structure: Predictable and appreciated yearly bonuses. - Beautiful office + great people: The day‑to‑day coworkers are talented, fun, and genuinely supportive

Cons

- Extremely corporate culture: The company feels increasingly focused on pleasing shareholders and the board rather than supporting employees. - Loss of autonomy + heavy oversight: What used to feel like an independent, empowered environment now feels like “Caterpillar 2.0.” Badge tracking, VPN monitoring, and manager “hit lists” create a sense of surveillance. - DEI rollback: Programs that once had meaning have been stripped down to generic, checkbox versions. - ERGs restricted: Employee resource groups used to be vibrant and employee‑led; now they feel controlled, sanitized, and performative. - Rigid return‑to‑office policy: Leadership advertises “flexibility,” but employees are told that not being in the office 5 days a week, 8 hours a day will negatively impact performance evaluations - Slow, approval‑heavy processes: Even simple decisions require layers of approval, which slows down work and kills creativity. - Double standards: Senior leadership enjoys freedom and exceptions while rank‑and‑file employees are monitored like children. - Structure: People are encouraged to move around to get experience. While this may be a good thing for some people it essentially means you don't get rewarded by being a subject matter expert - you get stuck at the same salary grade for your entire career. It also means managers are frequently in a "step" position so they don't have the time or care to learn their actual job.

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