Scam job postings and misleading interviews: Documentation jobs posted as dev jobs - Embedded Software Engineer Critical Software Employee Review

1.0
5 Nov 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nothing except you have absolutely noting to do. the real work is glorified documentation.

Cons

Misleading job postings. Scam interviews. The work offered is absolutely different then publicised in postings and promised in interviews. Reverse engineering test cases and requirements from already-completed code, that's a big red flag. It violates core principles of safety-critical development, which should be: Requirements → Design → Implementation → Test Not code-first → “make it look compliant” later For engineers, it’s demotivating because: You’re not designing or solving real problems You're often just writing documentation to tick audit boxes Creating the illusion of standards compliance for auditors for clients (e.g. ESA, aviation firms), while: Cutting corners in actual design/architecture phases Delivering final artifacts after the fact to simulate due process This is particularly problematic in industries where safety and correctness actually matter (aerospace, automotive, etc.). Problem Impact on You Reverse-engineered requirements You’re not designing—you’re documenting Waterfall overload: No flexibility or learning loops Fake traceability: Adds no value, just compliance “fluff” Burnout from stress + lack of impact: You feel like a scribe, not an engineer So while the company sells itself as delivering mission-critical systems, what is being done there is the opposite: Low agency, high bureaucracy No real influence on the architecture "Get it done and package it nicely" mindset That’s not what top engineers sign up for when they hear “aerospace/defense projects” or “high-integrity software.” On top of that micro-management and toxic work culture. Primary School like atmosphere created by helicopter managers. seems like fake reviews are manufectured on Glassdoor

Explore other reviews about Critical Software

5.0
24 Dec 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.

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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!
1.0
1 July 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

nice colleagues, depending on the project you're in.

Cons

poor compensation. shady tactics for offboarding process. The company is currently passing through layoffs and dealing with it in a way that's very bad for the employees. It is not the same company I joined years ago, unfortunately.

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