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Institute for Defense Analyses

Engaged Employer

A federally funded research institute with a focus on high-quality & impartial research for the defense community - Research Associate Institute for Defense Analyses Employee Review

5.0
Feb 2, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A diverse (relatively) workforce of highly-educated and friendly professionals working on a variety of research projects to enable the DOD/intelligence community to better protect and serve. Very flat bureaucratic structure, which is unusual in this field.

Cons

A highly institutional feel. They are moving to a new location in 2022 but the current location is isolated. Divisions and projects feel siloed because of the nature of the research so can be difficult to find out about new projects.

Explore other reviews about Institute for Defense Analyses

5.0
Jul 14, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Loved it, learned a lot and helped me grow.

Cons

Pay and lack of advancement

4.0
Jul 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very smart people across a range of STEM disciplines Freedom on what you get to work on Relative lack of office politics Interesting exciting projects available

Cons

Hard to think of a con. Every place has its own flavour and IDA CCS Bowie like anywhere else, isn't for anyone. I'm not positive either way about IDA's budget/hiring situation these days, with all the stuff going on in this general space. It also can be easy to find yourself getting lost when it comes to finding a good project if you are not careful. But even that is a bit of a reach.

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