Great benefits, terrible executive leadership - Engineer Sound Transit Employee Review

3.0
Mar 24, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work life balance compared to many large corporations. Excellent benefits. Active effort to ensure a culture of diversity and inclusion (although sometimes it can go too far). Remote work options. Lots of talented and caring people who could truly shine if the leadership got out of the way and did its job.

Cons

Too many executives who are not qualified for their function, yet become stumbling blocks for new leadership who is trying to make a difference. No Accountability whatsoever. Decisions by committee, extremely bureaucratic for even simple tasks (everyone has to comment and weigh in whether they're qualified or not). No clarity of roles and responsibilities, no respect for the authority inherent to certain roles and levels within the organization. Extremely siloed. New CEO seems to love to draw attention and does not think before speaking, quick to jump to conclusions without facts. Values are enforced selectively - Some abusive individuals are not only allowed to continue their behavior without consequence, but they are even promoted.

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Sound Transit Response
3y
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review and for mentioning our benefits and the strides we’ve made to create an inclusive workplace. The Agency continues to invite employee engagement to help identify and address issues including accountability and decision-making clarity. We do not tolerate misconduct or abusive behavior and encourage any concerns to be immediately reported to HR.

Explore other reviews about Sound Transit

5.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great people and culture - easy to ask for support

Cons

- Easy to get siloed on your project

1
2.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The mission is what drives the work; there are a lot of people excited to get mass transportation to many people in the region. Salary is good when compared to other agencies, but internally, it is a mess and not equitable. Good opportunities for growth if you play your cards well.

Cons

Lots of bureaucracy. Salary discrepancy among peers, some who do less than you make way more than you. Never-ending leadership turnover that creates constant changes and instability among teams. Leadership decisions that do not make sense and create a negative impact on smaller teams. Some ERGs had more flexibility in their activities than others, and this was noticeable to the other ERGs. I saw 5-6 CEO/Acting CEOs during my 10-year period... which by itself says a lot. Before leaving, there was talk that folks would be asked to come to the office 3 times a week, but there is no space for everyone. The pandemic showed that we could all work remotely, unsure of the need for the push for the min 3 days in the office when the minimum required space is not even there.

4
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