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Applied Research Associates

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Not the Job I Thought it Would Be - Anonymous employee Applied Research Associates Employee Review

1.0
Jun 25, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The ESOP is a good perk, but it comes at a cost because they can’t afford to pay us market rate off the street. If you are a project manager and bring money into the company, you will get obscene raises, but will need to cover yourself with work going forward. The company as a whole seems to be an okay company, but the Littleton location has a bad reputation amongst employees of the other divisions due to poor leadership.

Cons

Communication is non-existent. The management “team” (for a lack of a better word) talks trash about each other, and behind other employees’ backs. Management is afraid to have tough conversations with employees and address concerns. A lot of people (including myself) would say “this happens everywhere” but this place is the worst I’ve seen. You’ve been warned. There are a few people in the office that we all know we need to “please” and if you get on their bad side you may as well start looking for a new job as they will find a way to exit you from the organization or make your life miserable until you quit. Unfortunately, the office isn’t big enough to avoid them all together. Eventually you will run out of work. They expect us to market and write proposals, however, there is no training on the subject. We all just write proposals blindly and hope for a contract. While this practice works sometimes, it is simply not sustainable. Every person in a leadership position was advanced purely out of attrition or being “next in line”. Through no fault of their own, no leader has been advanced due to any kind of leadership potential or training.

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5.0
Dec 4, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Work life balance Flexibility Benefits

Cons

Pay could be better but for starting salary is good enough

1
3.0
Jul 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Extremely flexible schedule, Some cool staff.

Cons

Pay is trash for admin personal It's like some people carry rank and it's annoying

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