When you've had enough of other fun and challenging jobs, try to get a "coasting..." job in defense - Software Engineer Northrop Grumman Employee Review

3.0
Jun 13, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A fantastic opportunity to see the Defense machine at work and get an early view at some really cool technology that public gets to see only decades later (if you're lucky to get on a project like that). The salary is decent compared to your peers, just make sure you negotiate well up front. Benefits (medical, 401, etc) are great but the incentive-based packages are non existent for non-managers (revenue sharing, stock options, bonus).

Cons

It's the nature of the beast, but still a downside - everything moves soooo slowly. But this would be a problem elsewhere as well - Raytheon, Lockheed, etc. You will never ever get to see a full project from acquisition to deployment until you get higher up to be included on the acquisition processes and become so useless that they don't move you to another project and let you coast on one forever. Most projects are miss-managed and developed with the Waterfall method which leads to buggy and delayed products. Forget about voicing your opinion if you haven't served in the military or haven't been there a million years. Speaking of which, the "good ol' boys" attitude of hiring and quickly promoting former military over well trained and seasoned engineers is pissing the heck out the generation of folks who didn't grow up with the draft, didn't serve (and didn't want to) and believed they were in a civilian job not the military.

Explore other reviews about Northrop Grumman

5.0
May 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible work arrangement, 9/80 schedule, job security

Cons

Low pay, full time on site required for career growth

1.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Not much pros but talented coworkers.

Cons

I joined expecting a long-term career and initially had a positive experience. Unfortunately, the culture changed significantly after leadership transitions. Micromanagement increased, decision-making became highly centralized, and employee morale steadily declined. Many experienced employees and managers left during my time there, making it difficult to maintain continuity and trust within the organization. The work itself was meaningful, and I had the opportunity to support important projects with talented colleagues. However, recognition, career growth, and employee retention did not appear to receive the same level of attention as process, reporting, and management oversight. My layoff was communicated as unrelated to performance, which was appreciated. However, after years of contribution and institutional knowledge, the overall experience left me feeling that employees were viewed as replaceable rather than valued long-term assets.

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