Systra Consulting is a global transport engineering and advisory firm specializing in rail, metro, tramway and integrated mobility solutions. The company combines technical design, project management and strategic planning to support public authoriti...
"I enjoy the technical challenge and the variety of projects — you will never be bored," says one senior engineer. Another junior consultant adds, "Team members are helpful and you’ll learn quickly, but you should be prepared for busy sprints around deadlines." Overall, employee voices tend to highlight meaningful work on transport and infrastructure projects, collaborative peers, and a learning-focused environment. There are occasional frustrations about uneven workload across teams and differences in local office practices, but many employees describe the day-to-day experience as rewarding and growth-oriented.
The company culture at Systra Consulting generally leans toward professional, collaborative, and project-driven. There is a strong emphasis on technical excellence and client delivery, balanced with mentorship in many offices. Teams often celebrate successful project launches and share lessons learned. If you are someone who enjoys a structured consulting atmosphere with an engineering bent, you will likely appreciate the culture. There is also an increasing push toward diversity and inclusion initiatives, though experiences vary by region and team.
Work-life balance at Systra Consulting can vary widely by role and project phase. During steady project periods, many employees report a manageable rhythm and flexibility. During project ramps or client deadlines, you will often see longer hours and weekend work. The company has been more open to flexible scheduling and hybrid work in recent years, which helps people balance personal and professional demands. Overall, prepare for cycles of intensity followed by calmer periods.
Job security is generally tied to project pipelines and regional market health. The company maintains a stable client base in transport and infrastructure, which supports steady demand for many roles. That said, consulting firms are inherently project-driven; there will be fluctuations, and some positions may be more exposed during slowdowns. The company tends to redeploy people across projects where possible, which supports a reasonable level of security for experienced staff.
Leadership presents as competent and technical, with many senior leaders having deep domain experience. Communication from the top is improving, with regular town halls and strategy updates in several offices. There is a focus on aligning business priorities with client needs and operational capabilities. Some employees feel that decision-making can be slow in matrixed environments, and that local management discretion varies, but overall leadership is seen as committed to growth and professional standards.
Manager quality is one of the big differentiators between teams. Strong managers provide clear expectations, career guidance, and regular feedback. They also advocate for their teams with senior leadership. Less effective managers may struggle with resource planning or leave development conversations to annual reviews. If you are evaluating a role, ask about your prospective manager’s coaching style and their track record on promotions and workload balance.
Learning and development are core strengths. The company invests in technical training, certifications, and industry conferences. New hires usually receive structured onboarding and access to internal knowledge bases. Mentorship programs exist in many offices, and cross-border project work often accelerates learning. Expect on-the-job learning to be the most impactful, supported by formal courses and occasional sponsored external training.
Opportunities for promotions are present but competitive. Promotions are tied to demonstrated client impact, leadership on projects, and technical competence. Career paths are reasonably well-defined, with technical and managerial tracks available. Timelines for advancement can vary by office and practice area; proactive networking, visible contributions, and good performance reviews will help your chances.
Salaries vary significantly by geography, role, and experience. As a rough guide:
Bonuses and incentives are typically performance-based and linked to project results, individual performance, and company profitability. Some offices offer annual performance bonuses, spot awards for exceptional contributions, and recognition programs. There are fewer universal schemes across all regions; local offices tailor incentive structures to local norms and legal frameworks.
Health and insurance benefits are generally solid and consistent with large consulting firms. Expect medical, dental, and vision plans in many regions, along with life insurance and disability coverage where applicable. There is also access to employee assistance programs and mental health resources in several locations. Benefits specifics will depend on country and local office policies.
The company runs regular engagement activities: town halls, team-building days, project retrospectives, and knowledge-sharing sessions. There are often social events, technical forums, and volunteering opportunities tied to community projects. Engagement levels depend on office size and local leadership, but there is a genuine effort to maintain connection across dispersed teams.
Remote work support has improved, with many teams offering hybrid schedules and remote collaboration tools. The company provides access to virtual meeting platforms, cloud resources, and remote onboarding materials. Some roles require periodic on-site presence due to client interaction or site work, so remote flexibility is role-dependent.
Average working hours tend to range from a standard 40-hour week during steady periods to 45–55 hours during high-demand project phases. Managers and senior staff may work longer when overseeing multiple projects. The firm does aim to avoid chronic overwork, and flexible arrangements help manage peaks.
Attrition is moderate and influenced by market cycles and project availability. Some turnover is typical for consulting firms as professionals pursue new opportunities or shifts in career direction. There have been occasional restructurings in response to market changes, but the company generally emphasizes redeployment and internal mobility to minimize layoffs.
Overall, this company scores solidly for people who value technical work, learning opportunities, and project variety. Strengths include strong learning and development, meaningful client work, and a collaborative culture in many teams. Areas for improvement include consistency in management quality and leveling workload across projects. On a scale of 1 to 5, a fair overall rating would be 3.8 out of 5 — a dependable option for those seeking a growth-oriented consulting environment with the usual consulting trade-offs.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Systra Consulting
Fast learning curve, real client exposure early on, and helpful colleagues. Good foundational experience for consulting work.
Entry-level pay is low compared to market, long hours around deliverables, and limited promotion slots for juniors.
Flexible remote policy, interesting data projects across transport and urban planning, and strong mentorship from senior analysts.
Compensation could be more competitive for the US market and there are fewer in-person team events which can limit networking.
Wide portfolio of European projects and a collaborative project team. Clear methodologies and good client exposure.
Client deadlines can lead to long hours. Salary increases are steady but a bit behind the market some years.
Supportive managers, lots of learning budget, and exposure to large international rail projects. Systra Consulting invests in training and mobility which has helped my career growth.
Internal approvals can be slow and sometimes work stretches across time zones which affects personal time.
