Where do I begin.. For context, BAE SMS was Ball Aerospace; I worked at the Dayton office. This was the worst job that I ever had.
The culture, before and after the recent buyout, was the worst workplace culture of anything that I've ever seen/heard (let alone experience). Office politics, infighting, lack of professionalism (people wearing shorts to work, showing up an hour or two late) from many of the people who are/were there, total lack of communication, and very sub-par management made working there dreadful. This, along with many of the software 'engineers' who could barely code their way out of a wet paper bag, a general lack of competence from managers/engineers alike, and ubiquitous naivete, this fostered an environment with a total lack of trust.
My belief as to why this work environment became so horrid is due to a combination of the departure of skilled professionals, retainment of unprofessional/incompetent employees, retainment of unprofessional workplace/cultural values, and interview/screening questions that never probed candidates further than 'where do you see yourself in X years'.
The business outlook of the Dayton office programs completely capsized due to this ubiquitous naivete, ultimately leading me to seek employment elsewhere. My only regret during my time there was that I did not leave sooner.
If you're seeking work, and considering BAE SMS, I would highly recommend you consider literally any other job than this junk drawer of an 'organization'. My only hope for the future of that place is that an organization like the better business bureau gets involved and puts a stop to the wrongful practices going on there.
