Pros
Talented Engineers: One of the bright spots at Spectrum is the engineering team itself. I've had the privilege to work with some incredibly talented and bright engineers, which made for an intellectually stimulating environment. Innovation in Product Development: The Tucson site specializes in product development, and there's often an exciting array of projects to work on. For those interested in medical devices, this provides a valuable learning experience. Flexibility: The laissez-faire management style, while problematic in some respects, does offer a level of flexibility that some may find beneficial for work-life balance. Cross-Functional Exposure: Because engineers are required to wear many hats, you get to interact with various departments within the company. This could be seen as an opportunity for broader professional development.
Cons
I worked at Spectrum Plastics Group's Tucson site for over two years, and I have several concerns that potential employees should be aware of. Management and Company Structure The Tucson site is supposed to specialize in product development, but it often feels neglected compared to other locations. Resources are sometimes reallocated without notice. Engineering management takes a laissez-faire approach, which leads to insufficient training for new employees. The Engineering Management appears more focused on interfacing with higher-ups and quality control than on team development, limiting the team's visibility and growth opportunities within the company. Compensation and Benefits The company tries to reduce pay rates whenever possible, capping merit increases at 4%. Even promotions are pro-rated based on time in the new role. Additionally, expect some of your vacation days to be unpaid due to plant shutdowns. Project and Customer Management As a contract manufacturer in the medical device field, SPG has a flawed project management structure. New projects are primarily driven by Business Development and Technical Sales Managers, leaving engineers with a high burden of responsibility but little decision-making support. Work Culture The work environment is highly reactive rather than proactive. Engineers are often left to handle customer complaints and must juggle multiple tasks across different projects, creating stress and inefficiencies. Interpersonal Issues I found the Operations Management to be openly hostile towards engineers, leading to a toxic workplace. This is exacerbated by the Engineering Management's lack of involvement with the team. New Management The recent change in Plant Management has had minimal positive impact. Efforts to improve the workplace, like addressing cleanroom cleanliness, seem superficial and not well thought out. Conclusion Despite the promise of positive changes following the acquisition by DuPont, the focus of management seems to be on capitalizing on new growth opportunities rather than on employee retention and development. Interestingly, DuPont has indicated that it plans to wait a year to implement changes. This could be a significant issue, as Spectrum is already experiencing a talent drain. If you are considering a role here, it may be beneficial to carefully weigh these factors against your career goals and workplace expectations.