Is Institute for Defense Analyses a good company to work for?

Institute for Defense Analyses has an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on over 231 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 10% over the last 12 months. 59% of employees would recommend working at Institute for Defense Analyses to a friend and 44% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Institute for Defense Analyses have been left by employees working as Summer Associate , Research Associate and Research Staff Member .

Does Institute for Defense Analyses pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Institute for Defense Analyses employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Institute for Defense Analyses. This rating has decreased by 9% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Institute for Defense Analyses?

59% of Institute for Defense Analyses employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Institute for Defense Analyses 3.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.2 for culture and values and 2.9 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Institute for Defense Analyses?

Research Staff Member (44) , Research Associate (21) , Summer Associate (14) , Research Assistant (7) , Research Analyst (4) , Researcher (4) , Senior Research Manager (4) , Computer Systems Administrator (3) , Intern (3) , Science Policy Fellow (3) , Security (3) , Analyst (2) , Data Science Fellow (2) , Data Scientist (2) , Personnel Security Specialist (2)

What are the pros of working at Institute for Defense Analyses according to real employee reviews?

"Great benefits as an FFRDC." ((in 24 reviews)); "I've got smart colleagues to work with." ((in 18 reviews)); "Great people who love what they do and the people they do it with." ((in 18 reviews)); "good work / life balance" ((in 12 reviews)); "Job security seems excellent." ((in 7 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Institute for Defense Analyses according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low." ((in 10 reviews)); "Poor management" ((in 9 reviews)); "Cons are pay scales are not transparent and upward mobility is mainly driven by educational degree." ((in 5 reviews)); "Weak on sick leave, part of PTO, which is 24 days total." ((in 3 reviews)); "Not too many cons in my view; fairly flat management structure" ((in 3 reviews))

What are employees saying about Institute for Defense Analyses layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Institute for Defense Analyses layoffs and their outlook for job security at Institute for Defense Analyses in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Institute for Defense Analyses locations?

Alexandria , Washington , Princeton , Arlington , Bowie , New Alexandria

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Institute for Defense Analyses

Institute for Defense Analyses reviews

3.6

59% would recommend to a friend

(206 total reviews)

Adm. Charles A. Richard, USN (Ret.)

100% approve of CEO

44% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.8

Work/Life balance

3.5

Compensation and benefits

3.4

Diversity & inclusion

3.2

Culture & values

2.9

Senior management

2.9

Career opportunities

Institute for Defense Analyses has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 206 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Institute for Defense Analyses employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

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Reviews by job title

206 reviews

3.0

Aug 2, 2023

In the middle

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Salary, benefits, holidays, and the work schedule were always pretty good.

Cons

Upper management doesn't really care too much about the “staff.” They cater more towards the researchers’ every need. If a staff member makes any kind of mistake, they open up an investigation. Pray you don’t get fired. If someone leaves the company for whatever reason, you are left to pick up their slack. It also takes several years to bring any new employee in because of the long and horrendous security clearance process.

Institute for Defense Analyses Response

IDA staff across all divisions, directorates, and locations contribute to the success of our mission. Inclusion and Collaboration make up two of our key guiding principles. As is often echoed in town hall meetings with our President Norty Schwartz, it truly takes all of us to remain our Nation’s most trusted partner in U.S. security and science policy analyses. If you do not feel comfortable asking for support from your supervisor or director as a current IDA employee, please know that you can also reach out to HR or staff/senior leadership at Headquarters. IDA does have mechanisms in place to support healthy, teamwork-focused workplace communities – we encourage all staff to take advantage of these resources. Your HR representative can offer specific guidance, as needed.

5.0

Jul 25, 2023

Good company to work for

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone is friendly and they look out for their employees

Cons

The employee benefits can be a little better.

4.0

Jul 10, 2023

Important work

Adjunct rsm

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Can hold clearances and maintain them

Cons

Subject to federal budget uncertainties

Viewing 61 - 63 of 206 Reviews

Jobs at Institute for Defense Analyses

CCS - Security Officer (1st Shift)

Summer Associate SCAMP 2027-28 CCRP

Security Guard -- (SAN DIEGO, CA)

Senior Executive Assistant to EVP

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