Exciting work, but company needs to evolve. - Senior Software Developer General Atomics Employee Review

3.0
Aug 13, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

As a private company, GA is free of trying to satisfy stockholders, which affords a lot of freedom that most defence contractors don't have and avoids the feast or famine of government budgets. Good job stability. A fair amount of flexibility. Salary and benefits are pretty good for GA employees outside of California.

Cons

This is NOT a good place to learn how to develop good software -- engineering process is made up as they go along instead of leveraging industry practices and tools. Functional organization means that engineers are interchangeable cogs expected to put in a certain number of hours on a project according to some manpower plan, making it hard to develop a good team. There's no investment in training. As a defense contractor, hours must be logged as though you're an hourly worker, but overtime isn't paid. Opportunities for advancement in technical areas are poor, and there's very little recognition of high performers. There's a lot of self-imposed bureaucracy and parochial business practices. Progress is slow.

Explore other reviews about General Atomics

5.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good work life balance

Cons

9 hour shifts 4 days a week

3.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Mostly good people and skilled engineers that are easy to work with and great to learn from across all groups/locations. There is opportunity to pursue technical areas of interest and to stand out by leading improvement efforts. The company is flexible and often facilitates changes according to interest. Sense of job security generally feels good and stable, the greater GA really backs the Space division. The greater company works on some really interesting and cool things, beyond just defense. Pay is pretty good. Experience with most middle management (of engineers) has been positive, they typically advocate and support their employees.

Cons

Unsure of division leadership and strategic direction. Overall impression is that engineers' perspectives are not adequately weighted in both proposals and certain decisions for active missions. Processes burden performance, though there is intention for constant improvement. Ignoring engineering concerns (i.e. with schedule) + process burdens often result in delays and increased pressure, and therefore a less than ideal working environment at times. Overtime pay is not guaranteed but can be approved. Working with teams in different locations can lead to tension and "silo-ing" (though not always). Space division is becoming mostly defense focused (an industry trend), but would be nice to continue work in the civil earth and space science arena. They also demo'd a nice cafeteria/gathering space for more work/equipment space.

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