My experience was positive for the most part, but recent ownership and structural developments mean there's no way back for SMEC.
Join if you want to hear about amazing projects, but not actually ever get the opportunity to work on them and make a difference.
If you're in leadership, get ready to be grilled at every turn on performance and wonder why you never move forward.The good thingsThe technical team of people who work on projects that has been drawn to SMEC over the last ten years is exceptional. Job security, even during hard times, is better than the competition, but will eventually and inevitably be subject to market pressures.
The challengesSince 2023, the culture, purpose and heart of the company has faded, hardened and become sterile. Recent changes to the management structure to a global organisation have disconnected the leadership team from the human element and the company's own purpose and mission.
Meetings to discuss about other meetings are common. Recently created Operations teams will soak up your time and see you complete multiple forms and spread sheets, despite all the answers being on the system. Passive-aggressive queries will come from all angles, at all hours and from all levels of the company.
While appointed leaders have the illusion of control and autonomy, the clique (some of the senior leaders) controls what happens and you're likely not to be in it. Made a decision? Get it checked multiple times and by those three levels up. Then do it all again in writing, then again in the system.
While engineering salaries have fluctuated since 2019, SMEC is now positioned well-behind its peers. As a hiring manager and while seeking other employment, SMEC can be up to -25% out from equivalent roles, despite their external benchmarking process. As there are no real STI/LTI options, the potential for salary growth is low, and ultimately controlled by Singapore.