Toxic atmosphere: great colleagues let down by inept leadership - Senior Aerospace Engineer Nova Systems Employee Review

1.0
7 Apr 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This review relates to the Nova Systems International companies based in the UK; I have no experience in the Australia/New Zealand based operation. Remuneration, although not industry-leading, is quite good. There are plenty of opportunities for hybrid working. Most colleagues, especially the graduates and young engineers, are a delight to work with.

Cons

Like any company Nova Systems publishes some lofty values, However, the true values exemplified by the UK-based Managing Director and the Senior Leadership Team he appointed are: Mediocrity: 42% of staff consider the Leadership Team incompetent at running the business. Hypocrisy: 42% of staff think the Leadership Team betray the company’s published values. Duplicity: 37% of staff do not believe the company would deal with misconduct at work. Cronyism: 47% of staff believe the Leadership Team play favourites. Only 48% of staff consider Nova Systems a great workplace; however, if Nova Systems is your first job out of the military, then it may seem like the ideal employer as the so-called Leadership Team consider it much more important what you say than what you do.

Explore other reviews about Nova Systems

5.0
9 Feb 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible working and a lot of trust to manage your own time. Good salary sacrifice pension - matched 8.5% contribution. Varied projects to work on along side the day to day. Development Allowance £3000 and extra leave days to study or attend industry conferences - you can invest in your career and really drive its direction. Frequent recognition for doing a good job - managers do say thank you here. Open to new ideas - budgets sometime limit this however always open to how we can do things better. Caring people - lots of support. Global company - collaborating with colleagues in Australia / Singapore New Zealand / Ireland Hybrid working - most of us do 2-3 days in the office or at client site.

Cons

UK Offices can be very quiet; some days you cant get parked other days are very quiet (If you need a busy bustling office every day then Nova is not for you.) Promotional opportunities are limited in a smaller company, but it doesn't limit developing your skills and experience for which you will be recognised.

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Nova Systems Response
1mo
Thanks for this balanced honest review. You're right, we are a smaller business here in the UK; small BUT mighty! 😊 We are really glad you enjoy the benefits of working at Nova.
4.0
7 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good people in the organisation

Cons

Change of company direction leaving people a little unsure of the future, especially with such a new Executive board steering the company

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