National Oilwell Varco Robotics Engineer Reviews

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Free Coffee and Hybrid schedule

Dislikes

I do not recommend any of the robotics positions at NOV. The robotics team at NOV is currently in disarray. Management and project managers set unrealistic deadlines, and communication is severely lacking—not just within the robotics group, but across the organization. Information is seldom shared or directed to the appropriate individuals, leading to hasty, poorly thought-out decisions that undermine morale. Team Dynamics: There is a notable absence of effective leadership or management within the team. While there are talented individuals on the NOV robotics team, some members are resistant to change, creating internal conflict and a hostile work environment. The turnover rate is exceptionally high. Short Notice Deployments: Employees are often asked to deploy on very short notice, sometimes on the same day or with only 1-2 days' notice. These deployments can involve over 12 hours of travel time, which is not compensated if it occurs over the weekend, despite frequent requests for weekend travel. Deployments can last from weeks to months. Deployment Conditions: Deployments typically involve mandatory 12+ hour shifts, seven days a week, whether on land rigs or sea vessels. For salaried engineering positions, NOV expects an additional 44 hours of work per week, justified by an unspoken "rig bonus" of $150 on weekdays and $250 on weekends. This bonus essentially compensates employees much less than an hourly rate would. Furthermore, there is no plan to increase this bonus in the future, and overtime is not offered to salaried employees. Salary Issues: Do not accept the standard $85,000 salary offered to all new hires, regardless of experience. It is important to negotiate for a salary that reflects your worth, as raises are nearly impossible to secure. Employees in the robotics group are underpaid compared to industry standards. Management is aware of this issue and has acknowledged it to the team, yet no actions have been taken. Additionally, the company exploits employees who require visas or sponsorships by offering them lower salaries. Robotics Systems: The robotics team utilizes the Robot Operating System (ROS), which is experimental and was initially developed as an educational tool. The team refuses to use the built-in functions of the robot controllers, resulting in none of the deployed systems being 100% operational or stable. The system developed by NOV is still in its early stages and requires 2-5 years of significant redevelopment to be successful. Despite this, systems are being deployed in the field, necessitating engineers and field service personnel to address known issues on-site....Read More

Work Details

Work policy: 2 days/week from office

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings)