Average Defense Contractor - Engineering Manager BAE Systems USA Employee Review

3.0
Oct 2, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

BAE has a decent 401k match, good educational opportunities, some potential to move _laterally_ within the organization, and a solid 9/80 schedule with some overtime pay. They will be in business for decades because of their established base in the defense industry & because defense always does well in a dangerous world.

Cons

BAE has struggled for the past 10 years with an aging workforce that, in large parts, is paid a lot more than it actually contributes. The benefits have deteriorated over the past 5 years for younger employees, but the older employees are grandfathered in so it does not matter to them. Conversely, if you have been at BAE longer than 10-15 years your experience is valued inside the company but not so much in the commercial world - you become a lifer and are stuck. Finally, BAE tends not to pay highly talented people much more than the average employee - the pay structure is just not set up that way.

Explore other reviews about BAE Systems USA

5.0
Dec 10, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Intern team was extremely organized and flexible

Cons

I had a good experience; no cons

2.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexibility in work The few remaining coworkers from the Ball days are great Can bank 400 hours of PTO

Cons

Since the transition from ball to bae, the company has decided to try and make life as unhappy as possible. They removed 2 weeks from our short term disability leave (was 6weeks for giving birth) They got rid of our sick time and made it all PTO and that transition caused us to lose time off in total Refuse to promote despite the levels changing and years of experience needed being lowered. They have capped the number of promotions a year then tell us that isn’t true and then refuse to do promotions that are desperately needed. Instead of promoting or giving decent raises they lose great people and constantly have to hire from outside for more than it probably cost to just promote. They started searching our bags? Random bag checks were just implemented. Getting anything approved is impossible (especially technology or training) Attrition is getting out of hand but all hands say everything is great despite everyone asking what they will do to help keep talent Pay is not keeping up and if you are an overachiever you will never be paid for that effort

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