Exciting high-tech RF projects, small company problems, weak prospects. - Anonymous employee FIRST RF Employee Review

4.0
May 16, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Access to very exciting (sometimes classified) communications projects from DARPA, NASA, SOCOM, and big defense contractors. RF engineers have the best equipment money can buy, including several indoor ranges, a huge outdoor range on table mountain, military vehicles, a 300 meter communication tower, analysis software, and more. Technicians are the best in the business. Purchasing department is excellent. A lot of very smart engineers work there. Healthy workplace with flexible schedule. Great health benefits. Every other Friday off. Easy access to Boulder. Perfect place to work if you are young, single, male, already rich, and like to ride bicycles.

Cons

Singular focus on military SBIR projects has left the company unprepared to compete in the commercial market. Engineering, production, and administration are not co-located. Not much room for older employees - Don't bother applying if you are 40+. QC department is weak and unsupported. Nepotism and cliques run strong. Work is cyclical and sporadic. Much turbulence in management resulted in rudderless company and mixed-up project groups. 3 bosses on every project. No collaboration between the 4? business areas. Weak/inexperienced project management and desperation for new projects leads to grossly underbid projects - ultimately hurting morale and losing buckets of money. Exodus of many high level technical employees in the past few years - and gaps filled with recent grads. Legacy products, despite their goodness and profitability during the recent middle-east conflicts, are built with a shocking amount of tape, glue and foam. Don't expect a substantial raise or bonus every year. Pay increases are not substantial and not yearly.

Explore other reviews about FIRST RF

5.0
Sep 8, 2025
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, great culture, and interesting work

Cons

None as of right now.

4.0
May 31, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Small, flexible, and dynamic - Diversity of work - Team - Rapid yet sustainable growth

Cons

- Company long-term goals from leadership is unclear: target market, growth, internal investment - Labor can run thin due hybrid matrix architecture at times - Branding does not reflect the work

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