Overall solid, institution - at times the walk doesn't match the talk - Anonymous employee RTI International Employee Review

4.0
Jul 20, 2023
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Smart, committed, and really lovely colleagues Meaningful mission and body of work Commitment to improving the human condition Really impressive DEIB and ODL initiatives. Although fks on either side of the DEIB spectrum would likely criticize. The effort and intent is strong and leading the pack An industry leader. CEO is a true blue, good guy Fair pay for the most part

Cons

Middle management is seriously uneven and in some instances ill-suited and damaging in roles. Some middle managers are exemplary (very mixed bag) Corporate environment with a 501 3c designation The business development drumbeat is strong and loud and what is truly valued and rewarded by executive leadership. The values and top level talk often does not match up with the day-to-day walk. Work life balance is a perennial issue and unachievable for many. Those that don't "keep themelves sold or really oversold"-- or are a rainmakers are regularly riffed despite talk of investment in staff and people being the most important asset

Explore other reviews about RTI International

5.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

RTI has a good mission

Cons

Adaptation to sudden federal funding loss.

3.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Remote work and reasonable working hours

Cons

If you're a PhD who enjoys research and hopes to use empirical research skills at a research institute, you'll likely be disappointed as I was. Projects in my business unit were largely implementation projects that required very little creativity or data analysis. I was told by my manager that empirical-research projects are harder to come by and when those opportunities do arise, everyone wants them. Even then, project directors are very unwilling (in my experience) to let you branch out to other projects. Using any overhead time to work on your own research is also discouraged, so I ended up working on manuscripts in my personal time. And there's no funding to attend conferences either. On top of all of this, constant layoffs create an aura of uncertainty and the feeling that you're lucky to even be there even when compensation for similar roles in private sector is far better.

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