Good job in a horrible environment - Process Engineer Arconic Employee Review

2.0
17 Oct 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great 401K match. You get to learn about very technical processes and products. Good first job out of college. Builds character and resilience.

Cons

Welcome to Whose job is it anyway? Where roles are made up and ownership doesn't matter. I worked for the company for 5 years as an engineer. It always amazed me the facility is producing some of the most advanced single crystal, super-alloy turbine blades for the highest end propulsion engines in the world but every time it rained we had to scramble to find enough buckets to collect the water dripping from the ceiling. We usually didn't have enough and the plant manager had to approve buying a handful more. I thought I was hired to solve engineering problems, not to have to yell at maintenance because the tarp they put on top of the equipment or WIP areas overflowed and ruined the "climate controlled" product that's sensitive to ambient humidity. Scheduling equipment maintenance felt like asking people to donate a year's worth pay, but when the equipment shut itself off due to lack of care or process scrap was higher than usual, it was the engineer's fault. Don't even mention the fact that most of the equipment was installed in the early 80s. Worst part is involving management into the situation left me with a handful of people saying "that's not my job, talk to X or Y". And guess what X or Y had to say? Not my job. It's a shame many floor level employees truly care about doing the right thing and working hard but the people responsible for setting them up for success are only watching for themselves. There are systemic problems that are ignored on a daily basis, and leaders are trapped in eternal blame Darwinism, where the most clever bullshitter or loudest screamer wins. Oh yeah, and pay was always below average.

Explore other reviews about Arconic

5.0
12 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Aluminum manufacturing provides exciting and challenging opportunities to test and reward engineers for all disciplines. You will never stop learning; life will never be mundane.

Cons

Unexpected equipment failures will happen at the worst possible time, Time and effort is required to recover back to full production.

5.0
27 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great place to work at.

Cons

Scheduling changes regularly. Unfortunately had to leave to better my family.

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