Great Growth Opportunities Come With Sacrifices - Field Engineer Hensel Phelps Employee Review

4.0
Nov 8, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Large scale complex projects. Experienced senior staff who have generally climbed the ladder from the bottom themselves, which makes them a better balanced management team than at other companies. Employee owned. Opportunity to accrue a variety of experiences in both the office and the field. Young employees are given an unusual amount of control and autonomy to make choices that directly affect a project's outcome. Pay and benefits are comparable if not slightly higher than competing companies. The company invests a lot into training and development of employees.

Cons

Long hours first and foremost, it makes work life balance difficult. Relocation is abrupt and expected, generally the company tries to relocate employees within their district, but in tougher economic times, relocation occurs countrywide, and even occasionally internationally depending on the active projects that require staffing.

Explore other reviews about Hensel Phelps

5.0
Jul 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong values & great managers.

Cons

Work load can get heavy and you may relocate.

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Hensel Phelps Response
5d
Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of our strong values and supportive leadership. We also understand that the demands of the construction industry can sometimes create heavy workloads and relocation opportunities. We value your feedback and wish you continued success in your career.
1.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Gained valuable experience working on large, fast-paced projects that helped me grow technically and professionally. I had the opportunity to learn about field operations, coordination, documentation, safety, and how major projects are managed day to day. There were also several hardworking and knowledgeable people I worked with, especially in the field, who took pride in their work and helped me learn. The experience challenged me and gave me skills that I will carry forward in my career.

Cons

One example that stood out was seeing jobsite resources used in a way that felt inappropriate. During a period when field employees were working 12+ hour days in extreme summer heat, it was observed ice from the jobsite ice machine being used to fill a cooler of beer. That created a perception that leadership priorities were disconnected from the needs of the field. Compensation fairness was another concern. In some cases, it appeared that new hires were starting at higher salaries than employees who had been with the company longer and had more experience. That created frustration and made it feel like loyalty, performance, and field experience were not always valued or rewarded fairly. There were also concerns about inconsistent accountability and the perception of favoritism. At times, it appeared that company policies were not enforced consistently across employees, which hurt trust and morale. Employees were left with the impression that personal relationships with senior supervisors could influence how situations were handled.

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Hensel Phelps Response
5d
Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of the learning opportunities and support you received during your time with us. We also value your candid input regarding leadership, employee support, and workplace culture. Feedback like yours helps us identify opportunities for improvement as we strive to foster a respectful, fair, and accountable work environment. We wish you success in your future endeavors and thank you for your contributions to Hensel Phelps.
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