Prestige projects and good people - Principal Structural Engineer Arup Employee Review

5.0
Feb 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Structural projects are world leading in every way. London leaders are generally trustworthy and talented. Peers are supportive, collegiate, passionate and high performing. No shareholders or partners and profit/loss is shared across the globe, allowing some truly long term thinking and moral choices (e.g. no more fossil fuel projects, relatively slow to fire during a downturn) International transfer opportunities (if you are 1) flexible, 2) lucky, or 3) very persistent).

Cons

Expectations of high performance and commitment, even in the times or places where the project infrastructure and personal support are not up to the same standard. Base pay fit structural engineering in London seems relatively low, and profit share is inconsistent. This is justified by being a nice and exciting place to work (it's kept me there for a long time). The unique humanist and philosophical culture continues to slowly morph into a centralised corporate structure that focuses on safe, profit-making decisions, which in turn justify rewards for directors (who are gain/lose a much higher % of their pay via profit share).

Explore other reviews about Arup

5.0
Apr 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working at Arup was a great experience, surrounded by smart, motivated, and mission-driven peers.

Cons

This may have since improved, but at least previously, the America's region felt rather second-class compared to UK. Most/all senior leadership, even in the US, was British.

3.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with lots of good benefits, interesting large scale projects, and a fantastic team of people to work with.

Cons

Be prepared to work long hours, overnights and weekends at times. At the end of the day, it is a consulting firm so the clients needs will always come first over employee health and wellbeing.

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