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Mainstream Engineering

Engaged Employer

Strictly a Stepping Stone for Young Engineers; No Career Opportunites - Engineer Mainstream Engineering Employee Review

2.0
Feb 23, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

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.

Explore other reviews about Mainstream Engineering

5.0
May 13, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Small company where impact can be made quickly.

Cons

Some of the processes are behind the times.

5.0
Aug 29, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

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.

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