Not a good place to grow esp for software devs - Project Engineer Union Pacific Employee Review

2.0
Sep 8, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Good healthcare benefits - Unlimited sick time, don't have to use vacation time for appointments - Rarely have to put in overtime, if ever, depending on the department - Decent gym on-site - Offer decent path for management positions especially for those lacking technical ability

Cons

- Stack ranking system for merit increases, a system abandoned by most and for good reason. - Poor project management. Most projects don't have dedicated PMs, Milestones are set on a yearly basis, but the game is to spin anything you accomplish as your milestones. - Lack of teamwork. The stack system forces focus on the contribution of individuals, instead of merit based on the accomplishment of the team. Importance of duties will be judged by your management. It becomes a political game. - Rampant office politics. - Red tape governs IT. Rules were made for technology and design of every software project at UP, and despite how round your peg may be, you need to make it fit in the square hole. UP loses talent because their system is not designed to keep talent. The slowness of the company will cause people talent to leave. Talent will realize that they'll never be recognized for any accomplishments at this company. Talented individuals who have potential to grow will realize the environment doesn't harbor actual growth.

Explore other reviews about Union Pacific

5.0
Apr 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great flexibility and opportunity to move around within the company

Cons

You travel a good amount for the role depending on your work location.

3.0
Jul 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits Work about every other day Pay has potential to be good

Cons

New hires do 100% of the work for 80% of the pay and won’t get fully compensated for the first 4 years. They are also expected to know every transportation job on site rather than focusing on one area like guys who have been here longer so 20% less pay but required to know more, do more, have to wear orange hats for a full year allowing management to easily identify them on camera or in person so they can watch them more closely hoping to catch them breaking a rule. So less pay but a more stressful work place requiring you to know more and get singled out hoping to catch them in a mistake. There is absolutely zero work life balance. Coming from a place where I had 20 plus years and able to hold a decent amount of PTO to getting a single day of paid vacation the first year and trying to balance a family life while also trying to provide for them is impossible. You sacrifice seeing your children grow up, play sports, go on vacations with them so you can provide for them. By the time you have enough years in to take a vacation with them they are grown and you missed the most important years of their lives. I know this as a child of a railroader and now as a parent who’s children barely get to see him.

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