Pros
MITRE is still a place where smart, motivated people can truly make a difference in national security and have a great career. The workforce is very talented, collaboration is open and highly valued, and opportunities abound. Employees can easily move around the company and across FFRDCs, applying their skills to all manner of hard problems from different domains like space, cyber, healthcare, intelligence, military, treasury, and law enforcement. Some international opportunities too. People stay here a long time because there are good benefits, but also excellent training and growth opportunities. You can have a long and varied career here, with plenty of mobility and variety, in a culture of public service.
Cons
Current executive leadership is intentionally disrupting the culture and focus of the organization, with vague goals and questionable means. Messaging about ‘good growth’ sounds like a move away from first principles of not-for-profit public service, and staff are concerned about unintended consequences, but understand that negative feedback is not welcome. COO-led buyout/layoff of operations staff was inept, poorly timed and poorly managed. CEO appears unconcerned and dismissive about the negative climate he has created amongst the staff. CEO also has serious issues with his personal brand.