Best Companies in the Engineering Industry
AECOM
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that AECOM offers unparalleled opportunities for growth on large-scale, globally significant infrastructure projects, fostering innovation in sustainable design. However, this experience is often set within a challenging corporate culture where staff can feel like a number in a vast organization. While leadership is seen as capable, employees note a disconnect between management and the workforce. Reports on compensation and benefits are mixed, with some finding them competitive while others feel undervalued. Staff suggest that while job security is generally stable, the overall employee satisfaction depends heavily on one's specific team and manager.
Apple
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members are drawn to Apple by the chance to work on innovative products that shape global technology, reporting high satisfaction from contributing to meaningful work. Employees say compensation and benefits are strong, and leadership provides a clear, driving vision. Yet, this comes with reports of a demanding culture that can strain work-life balance, requiring significant dedication. While opportunities for growth are present, some find career progression can be slow or siloed. Employees feel a sense of job security tied to the company's success and its commitment to social responsibility.
Amentum
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees nominate Amentum for meaningful, mission-focused engineering work across defense and infrastructure. Staff members report a professional, safety-minded culture with supportive leaders and peers. They describe solid benefits and competitive pay, with clear training and mobility that open growth paths. The pace can be demanding, so work-life balance depends on project and manager. Employees say job security often reflects multiyear contracts, and note steady investment in modern tools. Many also point to community programs and ethical practices as signs of social responsibility and adaptability.
BAE Systems, Inc.
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that BAE Systems, Inc. offers purpose-driven engineering on critical defense technologies. Staff describe collaborative teams, structured processes, and approachable leaders who encourage learning and mobility. Benefits and pay are viewed as competitive, though experiences vary by program. The pace and security protocols can challenge work-life balance, yet many appreciate the clear priorities and safety culture. Employees say job security is tied to long-term contracts, and point to ongoing modernization as evidence of innovation, adaptability, and a consistent commitment to social responsibility.
Bechtel
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report Bechtel fosters a culture of professionalism and safety, offering opportunities to contribute to massive, world-class engineering and construction projects. Employees express high satisfaction with the company's commitment to quality and ethical social responsibility. Leadership is described as approachable and transparent, and compensation and benefits are considered competitive, contributing to a sense of job security and pride in the work. While the large, process-driven environment can present challenges, employees say the firm’s stability and innovative projects create excellent opportunities for growth.
Black & Veatch
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
As an employee-owned company, Black & Veatch is nominated for a culture where staff feel a sense of shared purpose and investment in its success. Employees report high satisfaction with compensation and benefits, which are seen as very competitive. The firm is recognized for its innovation in sustainable infrastructure and offers strong opportunities for growth and a good work-life balance. While leadership is generally respected, some employees note a disconnect between executive policies and daily operations, though job security is considered strong due to its market position.
The Boeing Company
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at The Boeing Company report great pride and satisfaction in working on innovative aerospace products that have a global impact. Staff highlight the excellent benefits, particularly the robust tuition assistance program that provides significant opportunities for growth. While compensation is competitive, some employees describe a bureaucratic culture that can affect work-life balance and agility. Leadership is seen as navigating a complex industry, and while job security has faced challenges, the company's commitment to its mission and social responsibility remains a key motivator for its workforce.
Burns & McDonnell
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees consistently nominate Burns & McDonnell, citing its 100% employee-owned model as the foundation for a superior workplace. This structure reportedly drives high employee satisfaction, exceptional compensation and benefits through salaries, bonuses, and an ESOP, and a strong sense of job security. Staff describe a collaborative culture with accessible leadership that fosters innovation and professional growth. The firm's commitment to work-life balance and social responsibility is also frequently praised, creating a highly positive and rewarding environment where everyone shares in the company's success.
CDM Smith
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at CDM Smith report a positive experience, attributing high satisfaction to its employee-owned structure and team-focused culture. Staff members say the company offers diverse opportunities for growth on innovative water, environmental, and transportation projects. Leadership is seen as supportive, and the firm shows a commitment to work-life balance through wellness programs and flexible schedules. While some employees feel compensation could be more competitive, the strong benefits and sense of job security contribute to a stable and enriching work environment with a clear focus on social responsibility.
Chevron
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Chevron offers compelling opportunities for growth within a major global energy company, with work on technologically innovative and complex projects. Staff describe a performance-driven culture where compensation and benefits are highly competitive, leading to strong job security. While the industry demands can create a challenging work-life balance, the company is noted for its serious commitment to safety and operational processes. Leadership is seen as experienced, and the firm’s efforts in social responsibility and adapting to the energy transition are recognized by its workforce.
Cisco
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Cisco fosters a positive and flexible culture with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being. Staff members express satisfaction with the collaborative environment and the opportunities for growth through extensive in-house training and development resources. Leadership is generally praised, though experiences can vary across the massive organization. While some teams report a fast-paced and demanding atmosphere, competitive compensation and benefits, coupled with a commitment to social responsibility and innovation, contribute to a strong sense of job security and overall positive sentiment.
Cummins
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members nominate Cummins for its strong ethical culture and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility. Employees report a flexible and supportive work environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance and provides excellent opportunities for growth across different business functions. Leadership is seen as valuing its people, and while some employees note that compensation can be cyclical with the market, the benefits are considered strong. The company's focus on innovation in power solutions and its stable market presence contribute to a sense of job security and employee satisfaction.
Emerson
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Emerson provides a stable and respectful work environment with a strong focus on business ethics and integrity. Staff members appreciate the clear development plans and training programs, which offer solid opportunities for growth. The company culture is described as collaborative and supportive, with leadership that recognizes employee contributions. While some suggest the compensation is not top-of-market, the work is seen as rewarding. The firm's commitment to innovation in automation and technology, combined with good benefits and job security, leads to high employee satisfaction.
Fluor Corporation
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Fluor Corporation report that the company provides exceptional opportunities for growth and experience on some of the world's largest and most complex engineering and construction projects. Staff highlight the excellent training programs, mentorship, and a culture that values safety and knowledge sharing. Leadership is respected for its expertise, and compensation and benefits are seen as highly competitive, especially on international assignments. The firm’s commitment to innovation and its strong industry reputation contribute to a sense of job security and high employee satisfaction.
GE Aerospace
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at GE Aerospace express high satisfaction and pride in contributing to innovative and critical aviation technology. Staff members report a supportive and empowering culture where leadership is highly respected and seen as guiding the company in a strong direction. The company is praised for its commitment to employee growth, offering numerous opportunities to learn and network. While work can be demanding, employees note that a healthy work-life balance is achievable and encouraged, with generous time off policies, competitive compensation, and strong benefits contributing to job security.
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees nominate Google for its culture of innovation and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology with world-class talent. Staff members report exceptional compensation and benefits as a key driver of satisfaction. The work environment is described as fast-paced and data-driven, offering significant opportunities for growth. However, some employees note that this intensity can challenge work-life balance and that leadership could improve personal connection. Despite recent industry-wide shifts affecting job security, the company’s commitment to social responsibility and adaptability keeps it a top destination.
HDR
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
As an employee-owned firm, HDR is nominated for its collaborative and relaxed atmosphere, where employees report working with a diverse and highly skilled staff. The company offers opportunities for growth on a wide variety of engineering, architecture, and environmental projects. Leadership is seen as communicative, and the firm supports a healthy work-life balance. While some employees feel it is primarily an engineering company with architecture as an add-on, the competitive salary, good benefits, and sense of job security contribute to a positive employee experience and a strong commitment to innovation.
HNTB Corporation
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that HNTB offers the opportunity to work on significant and innovative infrastructure projects across the country. The company culture is described as highly dependent on the specific office, with some teams fostering strong collaboration while others are more competitive. Staff members say the people they work with are a primary source of satisfaction. While compensation is considered competitive, some employees report challenges with work-life balance and a desire for more women in leadership roles. The firm's industry standing provides job security and opportunities for professional growth.
Honeywell
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Honeywell provides opportunities to work on diverse and innovative technologies in sectors like aerospace and building automation. The company culture is often described as fast-paced and results-driven, which can be challenging but offers growth for those who adapt. Compensation and benefits, including a strong 401k match, are viewed as competitive. However, staff members provide mixed feedback on leadership and work-life balance, noting that experiences can be highly siloed and vary significantly by department. Job security is influenced by the company's regular strategic shifts and focus on efficiency.
Jacobs
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Jacobs report a people-centered culture with strong company values and a commitment to creating a better world through its projects. Staff members express satisfaction with the collaborative teams, approachable leadership, and opportunities for growth in diverse fields like aerospace and infrastructure. The company supports a healthy work-life balance with agile working arrangements. While some feel compensation could be higher relative to the market, the excellent 401k match and strong benefits package, combined with stable job security and a focus on innovation, are highly valued.
Kiewit Corporation
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees nominate Kiewit Corporation for its reputation as an exceptional training ground that provides significant responsibility and hands-on experience early in one's career. The culture is described as fast-paced and demanding, with long hours that can challenge work-life balance. However, this is offset by strong compensation, good benefits, and a clear path for growth for high performers, including opportunities for stock ownership. Leadership is focused on safety and quality, and the company's strong market position provides a sense of job security for its dedicated workforce.
Kimley-Horn
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members nominate Kimley-Horn for its exceptional people-first culture and commitment to professional development. Employees report high satisfaction, citing a supportive and collaborative environment where leadership is invested in their career growth and passions. The company provides extensive training and opportunities to work on a variety of interesting projects. While the culture encourages social integration that can be demanding for some, the firm offers a positive work-life balance, competitive compensation and benefits, and a strong sense of job security, all while fostering innovation.
Lockheed Martin
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Lockheed Martin report a strong sense of satisfaction and purpose from working on advanced aerospace and defense technologies critical to national security. The company is praised for its good benefits, commitment to a diverse and ethical work environment, and opportunities for career growth for dedicated individuals. The culture is process-driven, which some find bureaucratic, but it ensures high standards. Leadership is seen as stable, and while salary is competitive, the overall package and sense of job security are key attractions for its workforce.
Microsoft
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Microsoft offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of software and cloud innovation, with excellent compensation and benefits that drive high satisfaction in those areas. The company culture is highly varied by team; some describe it as collaborative and flexible, while others report a high-stress, individualistic environment that negatively impacts work-life balance. Leadership is seen as visionary, but management quality can be inconsistent. The company provides significant opportunities for growth and maintains a commitment to social responsibility, though job security can feel precarious during downturns.
Northrop Grumman
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at Northrop Grumman report a laid-back and stable work environment with a strong work-life balance. The culture is generally seen as professional and collaborative, though some employees note it can be slow-paced and that career progression can be challenging without winning new contracts. Compensation and benefits are competitive for the defense industry. Leadership is viewed as steady, and the company's focus on long-term government projects provides a high degree of job security, making it a satisfying workplace for those who value stability and mission-driven work.
NVIDIA
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees nominate NVIDIA for its dynamic and innovative culture, where they feel empowered to do their life's work at the cutting edge of AI and computing. Staff report extremely high satisfaction, citing world-class colleagues, supportive teams, and a deep sense of shared purpose. Leadership, particularly the CEO, is highly approved of for its vision and direction. The company provides exceptional compensation and benefits, fostering a strong sense of job security. While the work is intense, morale is reportedly high, with a strong commitment to adaptability and social responsibility.
Parsons Corporation
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Parsons Corporation report a highly positive and diversified work environment, with opportunities to contribute to both technology and critical infrastructure projects. The company culture is described as competent and capable, with a strong emphasis on supporting work-life balance through remote work options. Leadership is generally seen as engaged and helpful. While some employees note that benefits could be more competitive, the company provides the tools to succeed and fosters a sense of job security through its adaptability and strong market position in defense and engineering.
Stanley Consultants
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
As a member-owned firm, Stanley Consultants is nominated for its people-first culture that fosters a positive and inclusive work environment. Employees report high satisfaction, strong mentorship from experienced professionals, and a commitment to a healthy work-life balance with flexible options. The company offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including profit-sharing and tuition assistance, which support growth and job security. Staff members feel their work on innovative energy and infrastructure projects makes a significant impact, reflecting the firm’s strong sense of social responsibility and stable leadership.
Sargent & Lundy
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees nominate Sargent & Lundy for deep technical work on power and energy projects. Staff members report a collegial culture with accessible experts and managers who support licensing and training. Benefits are considered solid and pay competitive for the sector, with clear paths to grow through new roles and responsibilities. Work-life balance can ebb and flow with deadlines, but teams aim to plan ahead. Employees say long-standing clients provide job security, and they note continued investment in grid modernization, clean energy, and community engagement.
Tetra Tech
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Tetra Tech report that the company offers the opportunity to work on meaningful and innovative projects focused on water, the environment, and energy. The experience is highly dependent on the specific office and team, with some staff praising their supportive managers and ample billable work, which enhances job security. However, other employees report a high-pressure culture where they feel like a number, with compensation and benefits that are not always competitive. Leadership quality is seen as variable, but the company's focus on social responsibility through its work is a consistent positive.
The Aerospace Corporation
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
As an independent nonprofit, The Aerospace Corporation is nominated by employees for its unique mission-driven culture focused on ensuring the success of the U.S. space enterprise. Staff report high satisfaction from working on complex, technically challenging problems with some of the brightest minds in the field. The company offers excellent benefits, a strong work-life balance supported by a 9/80 schedule, and a collaborative environment with accessible leadership. Compensation is competitive, and the firm’s critical role provides strong job security and significant opportunities for growth and innovation.
Turner Construction
Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Turner Construction offers excellent opportunities for growth and development on high-profile projects, making it a great place to start a career. The company culture is heavily focused on safety and process, which some find bureaucratic but others appreciate for its structure. Leadership is seen as experienced, and teams are often collaborative, with many team-building activities. While the work is demanding and can challenge work-life balance, the company offers stable job security, good health insurance, and a professional environment with a strong commitment to social responsibility through community service opportunities.