Aker Solutions is an engineering and technology company in the energy sector that designs, delivers, and maintains equipment and systems for offshore and onshore oil and gas, subsea engineering, and renewable energy projects. The company’s offerings ...
"I joined as a field engineer and stayed because the teams are supportive — you’ll find people who share knowledge and help solve problems together."
"Project work can be intense, but the sense of purpose keeps me motivated. They’re serious about safety and standards."
"I moved between offices and felt welcomed; onboarding could be faster, but once you are in, you will get meaningful responsibilities."
These voices come from a mix of engineers, project leads, and support staff. If you are looking for real-world, hands-on roles, working at Aker Solutions often gives practical exposure and teamwork-driven learning.
The company culture at Aker Solutions mixes a traditional engineering mindset with a modern push for sustainability and collaboration. You will find a results-oriented environment where technical competence is respected and safety is prioritized. There is an emphasis on delivering large, complex projects — that creates a pragmatic, no-nonsense culture with pockets of innovation in digitalization and green technologies.
Diversity and inclusion efforts exist, though experiences vary by location. In many places you will notice a strong focus on technical excellence and continuous improvement, which can be motivating if you enjoy structured processes and measurable outcomes.
Work-life balance at Aker Solutions depends a lot on role and project phase. In steady periods you will have predictable schedules and time for personal life. During design reviews, deliveries, or offshore campaigns your hours will extend and weekends may be needed — that’s typical for project-based engineering firms. Many employees say the company tries to be flexible when possible; managers often accommodate personal needs if you communicate clearly.
There is moderate job security, tied closely to the project pipeline and oil & gas market cycles. Contract wins and downturns influence staffing levels. You will find periods of stability when project flow is strong and a higher chance of reorganization during market contractions. The company tends to manage fluctuations through internal redeployments and skills-focused training where possible.
Leadership emphasizes expertise and project delivery. Senior managers are often engineers by background and value technical credibility. Strategic priorities include safety, efficiency, and moving toward lower-carbon solutions. Communication from the top can be formal and strategic; you will receive regular updates on business direction, though day-to-day transparency can vary by unit.
Managers are generally competent and experienced in project delivery and technical supervision. Many are praised for mentoring and practical problem-solving. Some managers are described as task-focused, preferring clear milestones and accountability. You will find managers who advocate for their teams during resource planning and who work to balance project needs with individual development. Occasionally, cross-site coordination challenges can create friction if expectations are not aligned.
There is a solid focus on learning and development. Technical training, safety courses, and project-specific certifications are commonly available. Employees report access to structured training programs, online learning platforms, and mentoring. If you are proactive about identifying training needs, you will likely find support to grow professionally, particularly in engineering disciplines, project management, and digital tools.
Promotion opportunities are tied to performance, skills, and project availability. Advancement is often steady for those who take on responsibility, deliver results, and broaden their technical or leadership skills. In specialized technical tracks, you will be rewarded for deep expertise; in project tracks, successful delivery often accelerates promotion. Internal mobility is encouraged, but competition can be strong in popular locations.
Salaries vary by region, role, and experience. As a general guide:
Exact figures depend on country and role; total compensation will be influenced by local market rates and project budgets. Compensation tends to be fair for skilled technical roles but is not uniformly top-of-market in every region.
Bonuses are typically tied to company and project performance. There are annual performance bonuses and, in some units, spot incentives for critical deliveries. Long-term incentive plans may exist for senior roles. Incentives aim to align individual outcomes with business success, so you will see variability based on profit margins and contract results.
Health and insurance benefits are generally in line with industry standards and configured per local regulations. Many employees have access to medical coverage, pension or retirement plans, and life or disability insurance. The level of benefits will vary by country and contract type; full-time staff in larger offices typically receive the most comprehensive packages.
There are regular engagement activities such as safety days, team workshops, and technical seminars. Social events and team-building exercises occur but may be scaled back on busy projects. The company promotes internal knowledge sharing through forums and communities of practice, which helps build connection beyond immediate teams.
Remote work support has improved, with digital tools and flexible arrangements more common post-pandemic. Many office roles allow hybrid schedules, but field, manufacturing, and offshore roles require on-site presence. IT support and collaboration platforms are generally adequate for hybrid teams, and managers often coordinate flexible working where feasible.
Typical working hours align with standard business schedules (around 37–40 hours per week) in office roles. During peak project phases or offshore work, hours can increase significantly and may include shift patterns. You should expect fluctuations based on project demands.
Attrition is moderate and often linked to industry cycles. The company has undergone restructurings during downturns, which have affected staffing in certain regions or business areas. Talent retention tends to be better in stable project periods and where internal mobility opportunities exist. Overall, layoffs have occurred historically but are usually tied to market conditions rather than isolated internal issues.
Overall, this company offers solid opportunities for those who want hands-on engineering experience, structured development, and work on complex projects. It balances traditional engineering rigor with moves toward sustainability and digitalization. On a scale of 1 to 5, an honest overall rating would be around 3.8: strong for technical growth and project experience, variable for work-life balance and compensation depending on region and role. If you value meaningful engineering work and steady professional development, consider working at Aker Solutions.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Aker Solutions
Great mentorship, structured graduate program and exposure to modern subsea tech.
Some admin tasks feel repetitive but overall a strong place to start a career.
Supportive leadership, access to good training, interesting subsea projects and strong safety culture.
Some internal processes can be slow and occasional long offshore rotations.
Clear project goals, good cross-discipline collaboration and strong focus on HSE.
Promotion path can be vague and workload spikes during major deliveries.
Good benefits package and supportive colleagues; decent work/life policy in most teams.
Frequent reorganisations, slow promotion process and unclear career paths in HR.
Flexible hours, collaborative procurement team and decent learning opportunities.
Occasional procurement platform issues and conservative supplier evaluation processes.
Hands-on work, variety of assignments and good technical backup from engineering teams.
Shifts can be long, travel is frequent and pay could be better for shift work.
