Great experience if you are lucky, but you won't become financially independent - Senior Software Engineer Critical Software Employee Review

3.0
Aug 28, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The best thing about Critical Software is that you may be able to do top engineering. When you land interesting stuff, its really a top experience, from an engineering point of view. Quality practices are part of the company culture. And you may work for international clients.

Cons

Top and middle-management positions are filled by in-crowders at company headquarters. A senior position is the "glass ceiling" of the company. Payment is not transparent, you will not know what the colleague sitting next to you earn. You may earn less than people you supervise. Pressure can be very high and hours very long. People spend lot of time in junior positions.

Explore other reviews about Critical Software

5.0
Dec 24, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great environment, projects that make a difference to the world (no call centre crappy software being developed here): trains, planes, aerospace, space, banking, smart meters, etc.. Parts of Exomars SW were made here. Same for Solar Orbiter and 20+ space missions. This is about changing the world, for the better, while staying in Portugal (or UK, or Germany, or anywhere that suits you - remote is the new norm). Human resources are valued. Several process improvement initiatives are NOT related to the core technical standards and/or technologies but to People and sustainability (Investors in People, B-Corps). One of the few CMMI-L5 companies in the world (~1000), which rates the capability maturity level of the organization.

Cons

Got to know what is involved in working for safety-critical projects and domains. Not a company developing pretty much simple web software. Coding is only one of the many tasks to be performed before release. If you don't care about quality (doing things right, processes and doing the right thing and your business is the salary at the end of the month), go somewhere else.

avatar
Critical Software Response
4y
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. We work across a range of the most demanding industries, all with the goal of making the world a safer and better place. We're always ready to face the toughest of challenges, but it's important that we can enjoy the experience at the same time!
2.0
May 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good culture, nice snacks, friendly colleagues

Cons

Slow career progression High performers are not sufficiently recognized or developed Limited differentiation between average and exceptional performance employees

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All