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

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Reviews by job title

206 reviews

1.0

Jun 1, 2023

Toxic management

Research staff member

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

New building near metro stop.

Cons

Sadly, IDA is seeing quite a few of it's best, long term employees leave. More so in some divisions than others. This is due in large part to toxic and inappropriate behaviors on the part of managers themselves. Of course, IDA's policy is to report code of conduct problems to HR...but this is actually a bit of a joke in the hallways at IDA. Experienced employees know this is useless.

Institute for Defense Analyses Response

We appreciate hearing feedback from all staff. We also understand that no two staff members share the same experience at IDA. Outside of filing a Code of Conduct complaint through IDA’s Office of the General Counsel, there are other ways to bring important topics to the attention of our leadership. If you or a colleague have concerns that have not been addressed, or if you have come to learn new information that has not previously been investigated, you are encouraged to escalate your concerns by speaking with any member of the senior management or executive team at IDA. Please note that while the Office of the General Counsel (and HR) are not in a position to share the details of Code of Conduct investigations, we can assure you that all reported concerns raised are fully investigated and reviewed at the highest levels of the organization. You are welcome to email us at feedback@ida.org with any specific suggestions for improving processes for staff feedback or complaints.

5.0

May 30, 2023

Great Place

Engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits, great stability, consistent learning opportunities

Cons

Have historically lost talented individuals to other opportunities.

1.0

May 6, 2023

Unless you are related to management.....STAY AWAY!

Security officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I have employment The kindness and understanding the other employees have to use because they know physical security management.

Cons

Fraud, unprofessional supervisors, unethical management and senior management, pay is inadequate, senior management are not knowledgeable. We have witnessed the same personnel who are in management and supervisor positions now get promoted for knowingly falsify documents. We have witness general counsel ignore those findings. Every last person got promoted and that is unethical.

Institute for Defense Analyses Response

Thank you for your feedback. We are aware of similar complaints that have been made on this subject – please know that these concerns have been thoroughly investigated, and the findings have been reviewed at the highest levels of the organization. While we are not in a position to share the details of actions taken as a result, including disciplinary actions, we can assure you that IDA has addressed these concerns. Should you have information about issues that have not been raised in prior investigations, or new issues that have come to light, we encourage you to share your concerns. You can reach out by contacting HR, Office of the General Counsel, filing a Code of Conduct complaint, or by speaking with any member of the senior management or executive team at IDA.

Viewing 67 - 69 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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Toxic management

Great Place

Unless you are related to management.....STAY AWAY!

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