A good place to work government contracting, but multiple fiefdoms make for uneven experiences - Senior Intelligence Analyst, Level 41 SAIC Employee Review

4.0
Jun 17, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you are an individual with a security clearance, the SAIC "brand" has cachet in the government contracting arena, for whatever that is worth. With 44,000 employees worldwide, there are a lot of opportunities; the problem is finding them when you want them. Healthcare and other benefits are good. HR is responsive. If you are transitioning to SAIC from the military, you will be shocked at its efficiency. Their base salary was fair compared to BAE, and better than my peers at BAH. It is possible to get a signing bonus; I got a 5K one. Finally, SAIC also is involved in some great work, if you can link up with the right business unit.

Cons

Despite its reorganization, SAIC is still a company of multiple fiefdoms. Managers are concerned about their own bottom line, Business units and divisions are often indistinguishable in terms of mission and market segment. If your local management is good, things are great, if they are not, you will experience friction. Many individuals (including myself) conducted SETA work (glorified out sourcing) at the government client site. This gave us great exposure to the client, but none to our own leadership. As a result promotions, professional development, corporate goals and career progression were all big mysteries. For many people, loyalty waned as a result. This cycle feeds SAIC's high turnover.

Explore other reviews about SAIC

5.0
May 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The SAIC management on my contract are excellent.

Cons

After completing my first years, I have no complaints. My SAIC experience has been everything that I had hoped.

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SAIC Response
3w
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We wish you continued success and appreciate your efforts in making SAIC such a great place to work.
3.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Current Leadership: The management structure has stabilized significantly, and my current supervisor is excellent—supportive, engaged, and great to work with. Excellent Team Culture: The coworkers here are fantastic. There is a strong sense of camaraderie, and the team is incredibly supportive. Strong Compensation & Growth: The base pay is competitive and fair, and there is excellent opportunity for extra pay and overtime. From a professional development standpoint, I have learned an immense amount in my field over the past year. Enjoyable Travel: Excellent opportunities for work-related travel that adds great variety to the day-to-day routine.

Cons

Management Inconsistency Early On: My first supervisor took zero interest in team well-being, or development and the second had significant temperament issues that ultimately led to their departure. While it has been resolved now, Apparently management here like a lot of places is hit and miss. Heavy Workload: The workload can feel a bit overwhelming and intense at times. Striking a consistent work-life balance remains a challenge under the current demands. Role Expectation Mismatch: Some of the technical responsibilities and projects I have handled since joining were not clearly outlined or explained during the interview process. Navigating these unstated expectations alongside an already heavy workload has been a significant challenge.

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