Stay billable employee no. 12148! - Senior Project Engineer Arcadis Employee Review

1.0
Jan 27, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible hours. The worker bees don't need to be in the hive 8-5, but they do need to be 98% billable. It's a massive, global company so a future interviewer might recognize the name, which could be good or bad.

Cons

Engineers are a number on a spreadsheet; a percentage of quarterly profits in a big "trickle down", pyramidal money making experiment. There is a pervasive anxiety, fear and distrust in the air, which may have something to do with unrealistic profit margins and insane billable hour ratios. Don't be fooled by the marketing. "Environmental" is an oxymoron. You are more likely to be working on a hydrofracking project than a windmill or solar plant. Since exceeding last quarters profit margins are driven by Wall Street, engineering project design quality tends to suffer, which for engineers is very dissatisfying. Lump sum projects are popular. Typical design project margins are anywhere from 5-15% at most reputable engineering firms, but you are expected to hit the 25-30% mark.

Explore other reviews about Arcadis

5.0
May 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good work environment chance to work in cross teams

Cons

pay scale range very low

avatar
Arcadis Response
3w
We’re delighted to hear that you appreciate the good work environment and the opportunity to work with global teams. It’s motivating to see this reflected in your experience, as we’re committed to creating a workplace where people can thrive and collaborate across disciplines. At the same time, your feedback on the pay scale range is appreciated—insights like these guide us as we continue shaping a supportive and rewarding environment for all team members. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
3.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

flexibility, exposure to large scale projects and high profile clients

Cons

bonus structure not well defined, very bureaucratic company overall

avatar
Arcadis Response
1d
We recognize your appreciation of flexibility and exposure to global-scale projects and high-profile clients, as well as your concerns regarding the bonus structure. Feedback like this highlights areas we can continue to strengthen as we support development across the organization. While we are committed to providing opportunities for impactful project work and career growth, we understand the importance of clear reward structures and streamlined processes, and your feedback will help guide ongoing improvements. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All