employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Engaged Employer

Uniquely incompetent management - Anonymous employee General Dynamics Mission Systems Employee Review

1.0
Jun 15, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It takes an act of Congress to get fired. As with most defense contractors, unless you arrive at work packing heat, drunk, or view porn at the office, you cannot be fired. You can, if you choose to, watch TV and movies while charging government contracts.

Cons

Management is taken from the pools of engineers who may be effective at managing themselves are extraordinarily incompetent at managing people. There are almost no managers with a management background. Decisions are reactions to stimuli, not proactive. The essential element in maintaining a career with GD-MS is to keep your head down and make no attempt at improvement, unless it aids one's manager directly. Improvements to the product are driven by individual's bonuses alone. If one doesn't want to make an effort, simply complain and management will retaliate. Retaliation is recognized as a management strategy by leadership at the Director level. As for culture, it is a culture of fear. GD-MS is driven to secure contracts as a prime contractor that it is blinded by its current obligations. What provides management direction are feelings, not facts. Lip service is provided to customers with little if any action to back it up. Their motto is, "This is the way we've always done it." In addition, for the last five years, merit increases have been capped at 2% while employee benefits exceed that amount. With each passing year, employees are making less and less.

Explore other reviews about General Dynamics Mission Systems

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay and good benefits

Cons

Sub optimal location for dc commuter

1.0
Jun 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

GD-MS seems to win *ALOT* of proposals and contracts. There is always the next big thing at GD-MS.

Cons

Contractors 411: Typically, contracts terminated with no notice. Today will be your last day. Please wrap up your work. It was a very low-rate contract too. Made alot of sacrifices to be on this program. Culture resembled a human wood-chipper ala FARGO. Many senior engineers leaving en-mass. I was asked to take over the role of the engineer who left just prior to my arrival. I called it: I will be next. Good experience once in your life to go thru the human wood-chipper. Toughens you up. However, GD-MS is a great example of how it is that legacy aerospace companies are dying rapidly and startups will be the future in aerospace.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All