I'm the friend you didn't ask for but need. - Satellite Engineer General Atomics Employee Review

2.0
Jan 25, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Easy hiring process - Interesting technology in some categories, outdated for most. - You can be engaged as much or as little as you want - Depending on team and manager, you can negotiate WFH but majority of time is spent in person - Company has potential, it is up to leadership to spearhead the company or let it continually decline

Cons

- Extremely High Turnover in the Space Program - Salary Exempt employees are taken advantage of and overworked. It is expected to work 50 hours/week and it is common to work over 60 hours. You will work several weekends to support the project or to get ahead on your work. I have personally been notified to work the weekend on Friday afternoon. - Frustrating work environment, document control is a nightmare, and accountability is nonexistent - Salary cannot compete with other companies in the industry. Annual compensation is lower than inflation rate even if you receive high marks for your review - Benefits are subpar at best. GA tries to justify their benefits package with a pension instead of providing a competitive match to the 401k package. Medical benefits are okay, they have been trimmed down to save the company money since the pandemic. Education benefits are not competitive compared to other companies. - Professional development is lacking. New Engineers are forced to learn everything on their own without mentorship or training. Management is not provided formal training. Industry common practices such as Six Sigma/Lean are nonexistent. Training assigned on the company website is an absolute joke intended for checking boxes, and some training assigned is outdated or not relevant to your job duties - Toxic Leadership that starts at the top of the food chain and makes it way to the upper and lower management. Managers are not formally trained so you get a medley of leadership styles that can possibly lower the team’s morale. The President of GA-EMS is stuck in the past and does not budge on certain flexibility such as WFH, 9/80, or giving overworked employees slack. Not the best place to grow as a manager. GA has lost contracts with a well-known government space organization due to managers conflicting with the customer and even yelling at the customer during a meeting, slamming phones while hanging up and other unprofessional behavior. GA almost got blacklisted from the well-known organization…you cannot make this stuff up - Personally encountered Project Managers gossiping about subordinates on the project, even saying it to their face in an unprofessional and disrespectful manner. Turnover was so bad that Neil Blue (GA CEO) flew out on his private jet and attempted some damage control - Dishonest company to customers and employees, get everything in writing or do not believe it at all

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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