Pros
This company is a stepping stone for recent graduates or anyone looking to get into the defense industry. Much of the team is fairly young, which can make the environment energetic and enjoyable. Management can also be understanding when mistakes happen, which is appreciated. When workloads are light, breaks may be allowed as long as responsibilities are completed. Compensation is better than what you might find in general industries, but it is below what is typical for defense-related work. Depending on the team you work with, the camaraderie can be positive and encouraging. Team events and meetings can also be uplifting and help improve the workday.
Cons
The most stressful part of the job is having to manage upward and constantly anticipate what might go wrong. Because much of the team is relatively new (given the turnover) clear guidance can be difficult to get, and senior leadership can sometimes shift blame rather than take accountability. The high turnover rate has also led to the loss of important processes, which has created safety concerns. Many employees appear to stay for less than two years.
One concerning aspect of the culture is the lack of a clear long-term direction. The company often appears uncertain about which path it wants to take and seems to pursue opportunities without a defined strategy, hoping that one of its contract efforts will succeed. The company has almost more management than actual workers which leads to you balancing multiple hats, A word of caution: after giving two weeks’ notice, employees should expect to be worked until the end of their notice period and management’s attitude toward them changes negatively. You do also sadly lose all PTO (they do not pay out PTO). Their 401k is poor as it primarily depends on company profits, vesting, and you have to wait over a year before they contribute. Lastly, this is a family owned company and upper management are either family or friends, hence be careful.