Declining work benefits, toxic environment - HW Designer Curtiss-Wright Employee Review

Staff appreciate the job stability, good pay/benefits relative to the Aerospace & Defense industry, and highly professional engineering teams. Many report a strong sense of purpose and trust in their immediate colleagues.

On the downside, some reviewers cite a top-heavy, process-oriented management structure, occasional disjointed communication across departments, and strict, high-pressure deadlines.

Brand recognition, Curtiss-Wright has lots of locations you can choose from, I get to travel and see parts of the USA

Having worked here for a relatively short period of time, my impression is that the onboarding and integration experience for new employees could be significantly improved. In the engineering department, new team members may find it difficult to establish themselves due to a culture and one particular difficult senior employee on the team that can feel unwelcoming and, at times, overly hierarchical. There appears to be a strong reliance on one specific long-tenured employee in engineering, which can make it challenging for newer staff to voice concerns, contribute new ideas, or receive consistent support. Expectations are often high, and work-life balance can be difficult to maintain during busy periods. Another area for improvement is the visibility and accessibility of HR. A stronger on-site HR presence could help employees feel more supported and provide a clearer avenue for addressing workplace concerns and improving communication. From conversations with current and former employees, I frequently heard that the culture was stronger when the company operated more like a family-run organization. Whether or not that perception is accurate, there is a noticeable desire among employees for a more collaborative, supportive, and people-focused environment.