Pros
The mission of Satellite Applications Catapult is strong and genuinely meaningful. The organisation attracts talented, passionate people who care about using space technology to deliver real world impact, and there are individuals across the business who are highly capable and committed.
The breadth of work offers exposure to a wide range of projects and stakeholders, which can be valuable for building experience, particularly if you are proactive and resilient.
Cons
There is a serious lack of consistency in how people are treated. Behaviour that would not be acceptable in one area is tolerated in another, depending on who you are, who you know, or your seniority. Accountability is uneven and often absent, which creates an unsafe and frustrating working environment.
Bullying behaviours are not addressed effectively, and there is little evidence of duty of care for employee wellbeing in general. Processes exist on paper but are frequently not followed, particularly when it comes to people management, conflict resolution, and safeguarding staff. This leads to a culture where issues are normalised rather than challenged.
Communication and decision making can feel opaque, with priorities changing frequently and without clear rationale or ownership. This has a negative impact on delivery of projects. There is often an expectation to absorb the consequences without the authority or support to influence outcomes.