Great place to work but below-average benefits
Pros
Incredible opportunity to work on some of the most amazing projects around the world. It isn't a sweatshop. It's not strictly run and divided like WSP or SOM, which might result in a slight loss of efficiency (and higher fees?) than competitors, but this gives the engineers the opportunity to be involved in everything from creating analysis models, writing spreadsheets, designing by hand or with software, getting on the phone with architects and contractors, networking and bringing in new work, etc. It's fulfilling work that does not get old or repetitive. There is always something uniquely challenging about every project. There are lots of talented and very intelligent engineers employees at the firm, many resources to learn from. If you are interested in something very specific and want to "specialize" in it, the company will support you if you can demonstrate how your interests may benefit the firm. You have the ability to request specific types of projects to work on, and usually management takes your wishes into consideration when staffing projects. The employees are very diverse- coming from a wide range of backgrounds from all over the world- good for idea sharing on a personal and professional level. Average salary, so no complaints about base salary. Average vacation/sick leave policy. Good location.
Cons
Yearly bonuses. Bonuses are not based on individual performance, but rather divided equally among employees if they are even given at all. It doesn't matter if you worked 10% overtime or never worked more than 40 hours a week, everybody gets the same bonus. Below average health insurance- high deductibles and out of pocket payments, average to below average network of doctors. Extremely poor 401k policy- some years they decide not to match anything ($0 company 401k contribution for the year). Knowing engineers at other firms in the city, LERA has the worst 401k matching policy out of all of them. The 401k policy is not transparent during the hiring process, so it's usually not obvious until you are at least a year in that the 401k match is horrible/nonexistent. Little to no flexibility for work-from-home or remote working, although this is an industry issue, not just specific to LERA. Top-heavy and limited upward mobility. Be prepared to use your sick time, vacation time or take unpaid leave in the event of a snowstorm or hurricane that prevents the office from opening. Or the birth of your child.