Great pay, smart people, but not immune to layoffs - Engineering Project Team Leader Caterpillar Employee Review

4.0
May 12, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I love working with smart, talented people, and they are plentiful at Caterpillar. The pay is also great. For a low cost of living area in the Midwest, the pay is exceptional.

Cons

The biggest downsides to Caterpillar is the cyclical business. When times are bad, layoffs are expected. Each individual is unlikely to be affected, but the risk remains. This is tolerable for young employees who are mobile, but it's brutal for senior employees with children in schools and deep family ties to the area. There aren't any other employers of comparable size in town.

Explore other reviews about Caterpillar

5.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone works hard and friendly

Cons

Too many meetings, fast pace of working

2.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good health insurance and benefits, good yearly bonuses. The pay is good.

Cons

They are enforcing returning to office by any means necessary. They have lost many high-quality producers who have refused to relocate or refuse to come in. Here's the kicker - they are requiring in-person attendance at the Chicago office and there aren't even enough desks for everyone. It would be a literal fire hazard if we all came into the Chicago office at the same time, M-F, during business hours. No one knows how or if they are going to actually enforce this. Cost of gas is insane, Joe doesn't care about the workers. Or the work for that matter. It's obvious this is a soft layoff, they have made a bunch of people quit. Their internal design agency is falling apart, lots of people have quit, not only because of return to office but because of the toxic politics, favoritism, and lack of direction and accountability. Mediocre workers are allowed to keep their jobs ONLY because of their ability to put their bodies in a chair and work in-person. The other relocation option HR gave besides Chicago was Peoria. No one wants to live in Peoria for any reason whatsoever, be for real.

3
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