Pros
Steady work and they typically avoid laying people off. Work life balance is available if you set reasonable limits, protecting your time. The work can be interesting. The subject matter experts at the company are truly amazing.
Cons
No real leadership from the top, management is disconnected and reactive. Processes may exist on paper but aren't enforced or followed consistently. Company culture is resistant to change. Masters degrees are undervalued, they don't influence pay or position for new hires. Management is dominated by ex-Navy personnel, rare for outsiders to advance. Very much a good ole boys clubs. An engineering solutions company is lead by individuals with limited or no technical background. Growth is limited to a 2-3 year cycle, not merit based. Advancement outside of the cycle is rare. Job roles are extremely vague, and accountability is missing. Finger pointing is an issue. Compensation is low compared to the industry and area average. Drastically behind the times in terms of technology adoption. At the project level, oversight and accountability is extremely limited. Resulting in a few people doing the work of many. Leadership will ask you to solve their issues with zero support. Personnel consistently poached from projects to address the hottest burning fire with total disregard for the project they were poached from. Zero mentorship, forge your own path - sink or swim. Performance evaluations are based on a 1–5 scale; however, scoring lacks transparency and differentiation. Strong performers often receive 3s with no clear guidance on how to progress. When asked what constitutes a 5, employees are told that no one receives that rating. Watch out for the Kool-Aide drinkers.