Avoid - Engineer General Atomics Employee Review

1.0
May 26, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good healthcare benefits, some potentially interesting projects.

Cons

*Standard pay raise in 2022 is 5% points behind CPI in San Diego. *Post vaccine availability, company officially stopped any WFH as management has stated they don't trust engineers to get their work done. Opposition to 9/80 for years prior for the same reason, only relenting summer of 2022 because of high attrition and employee dissatisfaction. *Three layoffs in the last 18 months. *Lots of R&D projects that don't go anywhere. *Company reorgs every year or so. *Salaried, but also responsible for charging at least 40 hours a week to a customer. One person will be loaded up with 60-70 hours of work (while only getting compensated for 40) and down the hall someone else is forced to use vacation time because their management doesn't have 40 hours of work for them and overhead is "too tight".

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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