The most technically and creatively challenged I have ever been, and I loved every day.
Pros
People at Navaera are generally extremely talented, intelligent and creative. I can't imagine learning more, or growing more than I did at Navaera at any other job. The mix of technologies and creative challenges was unique. After a job at Navaera, everything else will be boring, and seem like it moves like molasses. I also felt as though management did a lot to make sure that my experience enabled me to grow in my career. While I didn't get a lot of 'career' mentoring, I did get a lot of technical mentoring. Benefits are also fantastic, including free health care! Although many fringe benefits were lost during the recession. On the other hand, the company does allow you to work from home depending on your job, which is nice if you have kids. I was on the product side of Navaera (Navaera Sciences) and the culture on this side of the company is very different than on the consulting side (Navaera Consulting).
Cons
Navaera is generally not a 'socially' oriented organization. Meetings are generally taboo, and you will be assigned tasks that you are responsible to complete. While I was employed, Navaera did away with it's 'peer review' raises, as well as fringe benefits like NYC transportation, and a few other things, but I think these were just casualties of the recession.
