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General Atomics

Is this your company?

I'm the friend you didn't ask for but need. - Satellite Engineer General Atomics Employee Review

2.0
25 Jan 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Easy hiring process - Interesting technology in some categories, outdated for most. - You can be engaged as much or as little as you want - Depending on team and manager, you can negotiate WFH but majority of time is spent in person - Company has potential, it is up to leadership to spearhead the company or let it continually decline

Cons

- Extremely High Turnover in the Space Program - Salary Exempt employees are taken advantage of and overworked. It is expected to work 50 hours/week and it is common to work over 60 hours. You will work several weekends to support the project or to get ahead on your work. I have personally been notified to work the weekend on Friday afternoon. - Frustrating work environment, document control is a nightmare, and accountability is nonexistent - Salary cannot compete with other companies in the industry. Annual compensation is lower than inflation rate even if you receive high marks for your review - Benefits are subpar at best. GA tries to justify their benefits package with a pension instead of providing a competitive match to the 401k package. Medical benefits are okay, they have been trimmed down to save the company money since the pandemic. Education benefits are not competitive compared to other companies. - Professional development is lacking. New Engineers are forced to learn everything on their own without mentorship or training. Management is not provided formal training. Industry common practices such as Six Sigma/Lean are nonexistent. Training assigned on the company website is an absolute joke intended for checking boxes, and some training assigned is outdated or not relevant to your job duties - Toxic Leadership that starts at the top of the food chain and makes it way to the upper and lower management. Managers are not formally trained so you get a medley of leadership styles that can possibly lower the team’s morale. The President of GA-EMS is stuck in the past and does not budge on certain flexibility such as WFH, 9/80, or giving overworked employees slack. Not the best place to grow as a manager. GA has lost contracts with a well-known government space organization due to managers conflicting with the customer and even yelling at the customer during a meeting, slamming phones while hanging up and other unprofessional behavior. GA almost got blacklisted from the well-known organization…you cannot make this stuff up - Personally encountered Project Managers gossiping about subordinates on the project, even saying it to their face in an unprofessional and disrespectful manner. Turnover was so bad that Neil Blue (GA CEO) flew out on his private jet and attempted some damage control - Dishonest company to customers and employees, get everything in writing or do not believe it at all

Explore other reviews about General Atomics

5.0
28 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great work life balance and company culture

Cons

Sometimes long delays and slow periods based on government contracting

2.0
25 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

9/80 work schedule. Benefits are decent. One of the few comapnies that offer a pension in addition to 401k.

Cons

Too many management layers. Promotions seem to be based on who you know, and if you fit into the right "clique". Some promotions are being given to managers with no experience in the function. Executuve leadership appears out of touch with their employees. Example - Chaotic games have been played the last 3 years with remote and hybrid work policies.

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