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Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

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Company Review of one man - Shipping Receiving Warehouse Clerk Delivery Driver, Assembler Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Employee Review

4.0
Aug 27, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Outstanding company that continually identifies, measures, and improves it's processes to make power safer, more reliable, and more economical. An asset to the community as well as continual worldwide innovation. A leader in their industry! They also provide health and dental insurance to all their employees.

Cons

During the time I worked in the manufacturing departments, I noticed many people became jaded from the repetitive tasks, and poor involvement of management. First, most of the supervisors were not understanding of people who really needed to use a few sick days, they would usually take them on a guilt trip. Second, I would give an "F" in leadership and delegation to a few individuals in management (of which some no longer work at SEL). They wouldn't get to know their employees enough to make a stronger team. In other words, our improvement was stagnant compared to the potential of what our team could be. Looking for the diamond underneath and polishing it till it shines in the people who have a greater potential in another areas, as well as leadership. It would also stimulate more pride and dignity of work to be offered different positions by supervisors who really get to know their employees.

Explore other reviews about Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Plenty of friendly faces to work with.

Cons

Reluctant to hire certain places sometimes.

4.0
Apr 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Right job for some people. If you buy into the koolaid and are passionate about the power industry this can be an incredible job for you. The benefits are pretty great. I really enjoyed my coworkers, all of them feel human and are earnest. You can live quite cheaply in Pullman. There is an incredible amount of job security. SEL boasts they've never done a layoff. Additionally their ESOP distribution is generous - though it takes 6 years to fully vest. There is a lot of things I really admire about the company and the culture.

Cons

Comp is lower side. A lot of people are hired out of college and have only ever worked at SEL so sometimes I feel like there is a bit of an echo chamber. Small town. I really struggled with the initial allocation of 12 days PTO. 17 after 2 years is much easier. As a SWE, the company feels very catered to their power engineers. Company is very traditional in its values, people wear suits to work. Seems like the timeline for promotion is quite slow for SWE compared to other companies. I see a lot of friction when lower level engineers trying to advocate for changes; though I do think that the conversations with leadership happen in good faith.

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