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General Atomics

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It's a safe job, but not a very good job - Software Developer III General Atomics Employee Review

2.0
May 26, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* I've experienced a pretty healthy work balance. But it can very much depend on your program, for programs that are behind schedule and over budget it can be awful. * Pension and decent benefits. * Job security. I've never personally seen or heard of anyone getting fired for poor performance, only misconduct. Layoffs are pretty much non existent. * If you're a good engineer it's pretty easy to stand out and be recognized. Though it's not necessarily going to be reflected in your paycheck. * Depending on your program you may be able to work from home a few days a week. Not clear if this will be permanent change yet.

Cons

* Tech stack terribly out of date. Refuse to use modern tools, frameworks, and development practices in favor of in-house tools that are just awful. * Painful and archaic software development process. If you want to work somewhere agile run far, far, away! * Practically no automated testing or CI/CD. * The experience you gain will have little relevance outside of other large defense contractors. * There is a good chance you will spend more time dealing with bureaucracy and red tape, writing emails, and dealing with terrible issue tracking tools than actual writing software. * Software Engineers end up doing more System Engineering than the actual System Engineers. * IT and DevOps support for software is practically non existent. Current "security" measures make life hell for developers. * Good Software Engineers either end up leaving or going into management. There are little incentives to stay on the technical route compared to other companies. * Your pay will most likely slightly below average and way below some of the big tech companies. * Upper management is oblivious to all of the above.

Explore other reviews about General Atomics

5.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good work life balance

Cons

9 hour shifts 4 days a week

3.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Mostly good people and skilled engineers that are easy to work with and great to learn from across all groups/locations. There is opportunity to pursue technical areas of interest and to stand out by leading improvement efforts. The company is flexible and often facilitates changes according to interest. Sense of job security generally feels good and stable, the greater GA really backs the Space division. The greater company works on some really interesting and cool things, beyond just defense. Pay is pretty good. Experience with most middle management (of engineers) has been positive, they typically advocate and support their employees.

Cons

Unsure of division leadership and strategic direction. Overall impression is that engineers' perspectives are not adequately weighted in both proposals and certain decisions for active missions. Processes burden performance, though there is intention for constant improvement. Ignoring engineering concerns (i.e. with schedule) + process burdens often result in delays and increased pressure, and therefore a less than ideal working environment at times. Overtime pay is not guaranteed but can be approved. Working with teams in different locations can lead to tension and "silo-ing" (though not always). Space division is becoming mostly defense focused (an industry trend), but would be nice to continue work in the civil earth and space science arena. They also demo'd a nice cafeteria/gathering space for more work/equipment space.

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