Pros
The hours were reasonable if you had a strong back bone. The projects are super high budget and often on incredible sites with "world class" views. The firm is reasonably transparent about finances, much more than other firms. Staff see almost every aspect of the project. There is a lot of control in the hands of the designers due to everyone being spread too thin and if you are brave you can run with it with little oversight.
Cons
The firm is run by a principal that has little experience working at other firms, and has created his own vision of what a firm should be that doesn't hold conventional standards. He likes to promote from within, so outside experiences from other firms are limited to provide alternate points of view. Those that do come from other high end firms don't last long. Everyone is young and green and learns on the job with little to no mentorship. Everyone is underwater and scrambling from one fire to the next, hours are counted for each person, with "Billable Target Rates" being of utmost importance. Owner will often interject on design, go over budget on design, and ask managers to fix the issue. Owner states design is the most important thing, then holds meetings saying finances are the most important thing, which confuses everyone. Projects are always designed overbudget and tense relationships with owners and contractors trying to get a design across for a reasonable price, but often with little construction detailing and no review process from the principal of the details. It is clear the firm grew to fast. Hopefully, it will settle, but the owner needs to address his narcissism first. He is the king of active listening then doing what he wants in spite of. There are some amazing people here being pummeled by outrageous expectations, unclear direction, and no support. Pay is below average, yet the work is classified as world class. If working here was world class, why can't the pay be at least above average? If interviewing as an employee, ask these questions: 1. What has your firm retention rate been this calendar year? (From Jan 2023-Aug 2023, there were 12 resignations, some high up) 2. How many projects will I work on and how will those projects be managed? 3. How will I be mentored and what services or tools will this firm provide to help mentor me? 4. How many of the projects are over budget (construction and design fees) 5. How will I get to use my design voice? What design opportunities are there? Negotiate for more vacation. The health and wellness credit is use it or loose it, put that money in your salary, you won't have time for yoga.