Great Firm, But I Worked for a HORRIBLE Manager - Marketing Writer/Coordinator CDM Smith Employee Review

1.0
Aug 19, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The professionals are genuinely pleasant people who are trying so hard to do good work. I worked in a support service role in the firm's Orlando proposal center, and I never had a bad experience working with the professional staff. Genuine, honest people with integrity!

Cons

Leadership turns the other way while this particular support service manager chews through employees like a wood chipper. In the two years I was there, we turned over FOUR positions in that department. The manager is a relentless, mean, nasty, HORRIBLE person. I thank GOD for the day I was able to get out of there. In a much healthier environment, I have thrived, and since leaving this firm, I have almost tripled my salary and my career has blossomed.

Explore other reviews about CDM Smith

5.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of training and opportunities

Cons

Company structure can be confusing

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CDM Smith Response
3w
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review! It was great to have you as an employee and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
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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