user experience designer

mechanical designer

software engineer

application developer

project manager

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.

Overall,I found working ATS Life sciences,and Standard Products divisions challenging.Overtime was usually available,and expected,which was fine,and appreciated.There were always daily opportunities to rework something during a build,and still be on schedule.Although the principles of the work within automation are regimented,and streamlined,I found there was a disconnect between various management and the workers on the floor .Much of the rework,and repairs are 90% avoidable because much of the work is repeat work,however updates from the floor to engineering did not get documented, and the same mistakes occurred,regularly.Perhaps this is finally changing after 40 years of business.This was frustrating,and if it was mentioned politely from one repeat job to another job identical to the last,to your manager,you were labeled a whiner,and difficult by management,even though the intention was to help remove the issue,and not keep supporting it.The performance based bonuses to the project managers play a huge role in this disconnect.
The culture on the floor was good.People were hardworking,and team players.Management does yearly  employee reviews ,which from experience is always just  a monologue of your manager justifying a small increase or none at all,while focusing just on where you need to improve,and not  on what you did well during the year.This does sound like only sour grapes,however it is the truth of the matter,from a floor employee perspective.Even if a plan to train or educate to remedy a discussed area of improvement it never occurs.When repeatedly asking when  you can engage in training,you are indirectly treated negatively,so you stop asking.

Everyone is respectful and helpful when you ask for it. Management is ok. Different departments (engineering, controls, electrical) barely talk to each other except at mandatory meetings - which you can only partake if you are a department lead. Pay raises and bonuses are tied to almost half of your actual work perfomance, the other half relies on "team participation" such as reporting safety hazards, 5S, and other activities not directly related to projects of building products that brings in revenue.

Escalation of questions to management and above about the company's future, and corporate restructuring often goes ignored and unanswered. Apprenticeship program is ok, apprentices float in and out of projects when extra help is needed and does not allow apprentices to work closely side by side with a journeyman to learn the project process from start to finish. 

Overall, I would come back to work here at the end of my career to "coast" towards retirement.

Pros:
Great learning opportunities: The role exposes you to a variety of equipment and real-world automation.

Supportive team: Friendly peers and helpful supervisors foster growth and knowledge-sharing

Flexible environment: Many enjoy autonomy; hours are generally balanced, though occasional additional shifts may be needed during project rushes.

Cons/challenges:
Pay & growth: Some felt compensation could be more competitive, especially relative to increased responsibilities 

Management variability: occasional bureaucratic delays, inconsistent leadership across departments, or a few notes.

You will learn alot and work alot. Good exposure to high tech projects, but expect unrealistic timelines and lack of support to grow professionally. Be ready for a very new challenge on your plate and the expectation to execute perfectly on your first try with very little time to prototype and learn.

If you go in with the intention of performing well for a couple years then moving on, versus staying long term, you have the right idea. 

Pro's are having ATS on your resume will get your foot in the door at any automation company

What is the best part of working at the company?
The coworkers are really great.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of organization and discipline, very little positive feedback.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Used to be great team atmosphere. But past few years has turned into a critical and overly competitive workplace. The stress levels are very high and there is no support.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
very stressful and unenjoyable

Watch out for their contracts as soon as they have a dip in work they will cut you from the team so fast. No severens no pay no nothing. I am lucky to have had a permanent position. Very toxic work culture, it's a top down management style, no bonuses, outdated work environment, it is clear they are not interested in investing money into workstations or employee life. They wouldn't even provide facial tissues. I wouldn't recommend 

A typical day at work: a lot of varied work, solving complex and interesting problems relating to really cool and cutting edge industries. Daily meetings with team leads give direction and timely feedback.
Workplace culture: Dry, un-engaging coworkers and management. Mostly awkward people with no personal touch. Senior employees are given lots of leniency and perks, while younger employees carry the work without sufficient pay and take the blame if things go wrong.

They will not try their best to keep great employees and keep less experienced people. Temps come in on contracts regularly every 3 to 6 months. Will not hire you unless willing to take a cut back on wages compared to temp pay. And that could take 2 years.

Very laid back work. Pay will plateau after 3 years of experience.  Too much of micro-managing & no privacy. Got hired had more than 3 team leads change/left/promoted. Career stayed stagnant. No room for learning new. Constant sending to shop floor when work's low. If they fail to acquire work, the lowest at bottom most part of food chain pays the price.

Management is very out of touch with what actually happens on the shop floor and seem to not care about employees. The people on the shop floor are great, the work isn’t the best, the pay is even worse. Look elsewhere where your skills will be put to use.


Top Job Titles	Average salary
User experience designer 11 salaries reported	$44.84 per hour
Mechanical designer 8 salaries reported	$37.23 per hour
Software engineer 4 salaries reported	$40.04 per hour
Application developer 3 salaries reported	$90,167 per year
Project manager 3 salaries reported	$114,000 per year

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