Profit Driven at the expense of many - Mid Level Engineering Manager RETTEW Employee Review

2.0
Nov 13, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Rettew had built their reputation on serving the local government and private land developers based on providing a top quality product and service that would benefit the end users (namely, the community at large). Bridges, transportation and water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades and replacements were services Rettew excelled at for many years. The culture was friendly and structured with opportunities to practice your trade,

Cons

Like many small scale regional engineering consulting firms, Rettew got the fever for growth. Growth in total revenue, growth in regions served, growth in kinds of services and growth into hot sectors that looked too good to pass up, What resulted was a deterioration of the culture and a wholesale shift in management style. The leadership had sold out and began worshiping profit over people. While Rettew still serves the local community in many positive ways they do it more as a marketing approach to hide their real intentions which is to make money no matter what the impact to or communities, our drinking water or our health. I say this based on their wholesale buy in to the hydraulic fracturing gas boom going on since 2008 in their home state of Pennsylvania.

Explore other reviews about RETTEW

5.0
Jan 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Since joining RETTEW in July of 2025, I've immersed myself within the organization to learn about its people, its history, the evolutions of the organization and its current state. I am still fully convinced my arrival at RETTEW is very much characterized by a RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME story arc. This organization is experiencing a transformation that is exciting, fulfilling and full of opportunity. In my experience, leadership is genuinely open to feedback, and members of the entire organization are heard regardless of title. My experience here has been what I've made it, and I am grateful I've chosen to engage, invest and grow my career here right now and into the future.

Cons

Change can be hard. Processes are always improving. With growth sometimes comes uncertainty. This will always be true, and it will be felt by those who are new to the organization when they engage with those who have been around. There is wisdom to be gained from our experiences.

avatar
RETTEW Response
4mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re really glad to hear that your first year at RETTEW has been positive and that you feel supported, listened to, and excited about the direction of the company. It means a lot to know that you’ve found a place where you can grow and feel connected to the work and the people around you. We also appreciate your honest thoughts about change. You’re right, change can feel challenging at times, but it also brings new chances to learn and improve. Your perspective is helpful, and we’re grateful for the way you’re approaching it. Thank you as well for your advice. Staying committed to our people and our work is something we take seriously. We’re glad you’re here and look forward to seeing your continued growth at RETTEW.
1.0
May 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They pay you every two weeks, have an ESOP and some of the people are great to work with.

Cons

About a year ago things change at Rettew, they decided to end working fully remote and switched to a hybrid model. People spoke out, concerns were ignored and the plan pushed forward, the brainchild of the new COO who is basically a corporate stiff that closes himself off to everyone and makes decisions based on statistics and articles. They ignored everyone, well, they pretended to listen and implemented the hybrid policy over several months and said that we'd have compassionate leadership that listens to us as we navigate the return to office. Corporate lingo basically, just to try and make us feel better about a change we were all against. Many people left the company and yet they didn't change their minds. They plunged ahead with their ill conceived plan.

1
avatar
RETTEW Response
3w
Thank you for sharing this; it’s clear the transition to hybrid work was frustrating, and we understand why that felt like a big change for some of our employees. We know how important it is for our employees to feel heard, especially during shifts like this. We appreciate the time you spent with RETTEW and wish you all the best moving forward.
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All