Retirement home for engineers - Anonymous employee General Atomics Employee Review

2.0
Jul 8, 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits, set your own schedule, raise very year, bonuses light demands

Cons

Very close to working for the government: not much gets accomplished, major red tape, committees, review boards etc to get anything done. One of the secretaries said she has worked for many companies over the years and has never seen so many unhappy employees. From the outside it looks great because of all of the Pros, but the life is slowly sucked out of you with this company until you become one of the many that doesn't care because you can't make your job efficient or productive or satisfying.

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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