Poorly managed, saved by booming industry. - UAV Operator General Atomics Employee Review

3.0
May 16, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great benefits and job stability. - One of the best career opportunities in the Inland Empire, performing in an industry to be proud of. - Plenty of opportunities to obtain sought after security clearances, and experience to propel your resume in defense contracting services, which all pay great without daunting and expensive educational requirements. - Optimistic outlook on the products produced by the company. - Attractive pay incentives, with fair travel policies, including per-diem in comfortable hotels, comfortable rental cars and an outstanding travel support team. - OJT by industry experts. - Great accommodation for current and retiring military, and supportive to serving National Guard and Reserve troops. - Christmas bonuses and a pension plan, which are increasingly rare, and a nice gesture.

Cons

- Management. The company grew too fast after 9/11, and most leaders in place now are the products of tenure-based advancement, rather than raw qualification. The lack of maturity from some supervisors shows in their poor decision making abilities and the behavior of subordinates. It is no secret that this is the number one issue to an otherwise flawless company. - The High Desert facilities are overlooked in amenities. The facilities host highly qualified and educated workers, including engineers, technicians, pilots; the breadwinners of the company who deploy to support customers. However, these workers must commute a long distance to work in a heavily crime ridden area, also one of the Meth capitols of the United States, to facilities that don't have a proper cafeteria or break area, and reside 20+ miles from civilization. - As a deployer, I have spent 41 months in a war zone for this company in the last 4 years, non-negotiable at the risk of losing my job. It is probably time to acknowledge that we are human beings also, and not human-ATM machines to be abused by absurd work details. - It would help if Senior Management spent less time pampering our staff in San-Diego and payed a little more attention to the rest of the company in the High Desert.

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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