60% positive business outlook
Pros
decent pay, but it was not worth everything else
Cons
horrible work culture, engineers get thrown under the bus and made to feel ashamed for asking questions and not knowing everything even right out of school and anyone who speaks up about this gets fired
Pros
-Great pay for new engineers -40 hour weeks are all that’s expected, overtime is saved to be paid out or saved for more vacation time. -Incredibly smart coworkers that are all always willing to help -Ability for new engineers to run projects right out of school -Hands on work, not just sitting behind a desk all day -Exposure to a ton of new technologies
Cons
-There is a disconnect between the new engineers and the technology leaders that have been there 10+ years, they are out of touch with expectations for new engineers. That being said: -Managers seem to try more than technology leaders, but the fact that they are basically full-time engineers and part-time managers hinders their ability to mentor younger engineers. -There is basically no diversity. It is almost all white guys. -You really have to be self motivated to succeed here. The more senior engineers are always willing to help if they have time, but that’s not a given.
Pros
Mainstream is a great company that offers great pay, competitive benefits, and a family friendly work environment. You will celebrate successes as a company. You will receive yearly pay increases that are higher then the state average. Contrary to what I've read in past reviews, if you stick around for more then a few days, you will have the opportunity to learn a bunch of new skills and work on multiple projects. Mainstream looks to promote internally before sourcing from outside of the company. Mainstream has a consistent flow of contracts which means there is no shortage of work. If you are a hard worker, you will have a home at Mainstream for a long time. This is a small business that operates differently then other large engineering corporations in the area. If your comfort level lies in flying under the radar in a large corporate structure, this might not be the place for you. If you are a self starter who enjoys challenging work, with a quirky small business structure, Mainstream is a great place to be.
Cons
You have to be self motivated to be successful. If you are someone who needs to be micromanaged, this is not the work environment for you. If you are a title chaser, this company is not for you. High performers will sometimes receive new titles but more then likely will receive there promotion in the form of a pay increase.
Pros
Benefits are better than anywhere else I have been employed. This company cares about their employees health. Excellent medical benefits that the company pays for employee. School tuition reimbursement offered to further your education. Promotes work/life balance by offering Paid time off, Comp time, and sick time off. Monthly newsletters for the staff to be in the know of what all of our co workers are up to inform of events going on.
Cons
Due to the growth of Mainstream we have limited parking. You need to arrive early to ensure a shady parking spot.
Pros
great pay for recent graduates and great raises each year above what would typically be expected
Cons
R&D work only sometimes makes it to commercialization, but Mainstream does a better job than most in the space
Pros
Young engineers, especially right of school, have the opportunity to lead projects and gain experience. Pay for young engineers is above average. There is the opportunity for comp time and pay incentives for winning contracts. There are many different technologies you will be exposed to. Provides lots of learning opportunities/experience for your next job.
Cons
There is zero opportunity for advancement. The management consists of a small executive team and six technology leaders below that. Then there is every one else. Even when the technologies leave, they do not promote but instead spread responsibility over the remaining leaders. Management and technology leaders are largely winging it. No one has management training or project management training. If you are not an engineer, you are treated as second class. There is a very rigid pecking order that is set from the executive team on down. Pay structure is such that technology leaders will receive 6-10% raise yearly. Everyone else will get the scraps after management gets theirs. Company culture has gotten toxic as employees become disillusioned by the lack of mobility and false promises from management. Diversity is a dirty word there. It is a good ole boys club. You can count on one hand the number of female or minority engineers. Management will openly joke about current events and lament how boys can't be boys anymore. The company will chase any funding sources no matter how obscure. Everything from hand gun automated test stands to cleaning dish water to refrigerated caskets. It means that there is no core experience or focus. Anything and everything is fair game. The company operates largely as an SBIR farm with no intention to grow the business or change. Winning Phase II contracts is the goal. The research needed to fulfill the contract is given a half hearted effort. No one in management cares since there is usually not continued funding after Phase II. Company made an effort to improve online profile in 2017. They packed this website with positive reviews instead of solving culture and management issues.
Pros
Great Pay Flexible work schedule Feel valued Good access to management and executive team
Cons
Don't enjoy the SBIR proposal cycle
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