Pros
I absolutely love that I'm empowered to make a real impact here. I get to drive change, refine processes, and come up with solutions that genuinely make a difference. Never a dull day! I'm not stuck doing just one thing; I get to jump in and help out across the company, which means I'm always learning and doing different things. Some folks might not be into that, but for me, it's a huge plus. The company tries using modern tools and always looking for better ways to get things done. It's refreshing to be somewhere that embraces change. Being able to contribute to national security truly means a lot. As someone who used to be in the military, it's awesome to still feel like I have such a direct impact. I'm lucky enough to work with some incredibly smart, forward-thinking teams who are all about solving problems proactively. That means there's always an opportunity to learn and grow. Seriously, I'm constantly blown away by how brilliant everyone around me is. (It definitely keeps me on my toes and gives me a bit of imposter syndrome, but in a good way!)
Cons
While the company is growing, the January reduction in force (RIF) followed by re-hiring for similar roles was a challenging period. Although leadership did reach out to former employees, the potential requirement for relocation (even for roles that were previously remote) unfortunately limited interest from some talented individuals, which could impact talent retention and continuity. The startup environment means you'll often wear many hats, extending beyond your primary job description. While this can offer diverse experience and empowerment (as noted in the "Pros"), it can also lead to increased workload and responsibilities that aren't strictly aligned with your core role, potentially stretching capacity.