Architect (Unlicensed) - Anonymous employee HKS Employee Review

2.0
Oct 19, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The corporate structure offers a lot of resources such as study materials for licensure, people/mentors in other offices to help guide you, a broad range of project type history, etc. The Denver office also has a solid group of young professionals that are always trying to improve the culture. It's also a brand new space and beautiful. Pay is average for my level and location. The C-Suite might be all men, but they are a group of great people.

Cons

The Denver office is undergoing a leadership change, and it's not necessarily a good one. A married couple is taking over as a team to be the new office directors; two people who have barely been at the company for a year. They express no interest in the "one firm" concept that HKS advocates, and treats it as if the Denver office is under their ownership alone. They also both possess many negative characteristics such as defensiveness, dishonesty, unprofessionalism, disrespectfulness, hostility, can be confrontational and demanding, and have a disregard of people's personal lives. The firm claims to aim for the "whole architect" but yet has specific designers, specific drafters, CA personnel, etc. They also might listen well to people's request to work on this or that, but action is rarely taken to please employees, especially at lower levels. HKS is more likely to do a strategic hire rather than promote within, so chances for advancement in the company seems unlikely. Yearly salary increases are similar or lower than inflation. Promotions are based on voting from within your office, so if you work primarily with other offices, your chances are lower.

Explore other reviews about HKS

5.0
May 31, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Project scale, camaraderie, reputation of firm in industry

Cons

Corporate structure can be stifling. Limited opportunities to create own path.

4.0
Jul 2, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The work environment was great. The office people were amazing. Great projects and mentors. Great work life balance.

Cons

Can do better with staffing across all the sectors.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All