Pros
Mathematica has good pay and benefits and there is a general respect for work life balance. Employees are usually assigned their own office. Researchers are skilled in their policy areas. Opportunity to work across different policy areas if desired. In general the job is stable
Cons
A) Poor communication from management about (1) basic polices and procedures; (2) issues being considered; and (3) decisions. There is a general feeling from senior staff of doing things as they have always been done rather than thinking outside the box or innovating. B) Very little diversity from underrepresented minorities and no push from management to increase it. C) Staff are usually nice but not necessarily open minded or self aware D) Lackluster company culture: very few company programs targeted at building community and supporting staff in the work environment. No professional development plan and few professional development opportunities. E) Many senior staff have been at the company a long time but there is more turnover than some would admit