MDA reviews

3.6

75% would recommend to a friend

(643 total reviews)
avatar

Mike Greenley

52% approve of CEO

66% positive business outlook

MDA has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 643 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The MDA employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Aeroespacial y defensa industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

643 reviews
2.0
Feb 18, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

MacDonald Dettwiler provides interesting and challenging work. It's a good company to be for if you're interested in the high-technology sector.

Cons

The culture at MacDonald Dettwiler is not very good. Projects are scheduled aggressively, nepotism is rampant, the pay is below industry standards, and the company is very cheap.

1.0
Apr 24, 2025

Do Not Recommend

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

• Compelling mission — working in space and robotics is genuinely exciting • Strong health benefits — competitive coverage and support • Business continuity — steady work and reduced volatility due to long-term government contracts

Cons

• Uncompetitive pay — 50% of engineering firms offer higher base salaries; there’s no profit sharing, and bonuses are reserved for managers and above • Inconsistent remote work policy — leadership often bypasses the on-site requirement while enforcing it for others, creating frustration and inequality • Disparities across locations — unionized sites provide better pay and benefits compared to non-unionized ones • Weak onboarding and training — new hires receive limited support and development opportunities • No clear career pathing — progression opportunities are vague or nonexistent • Toxic workplace behavior — reports of harassment are not taken seriously or properly addressed • Lax safety culture — safety training and protocols are inconsistently enforced, compromising workplace safety • Lack of transparency — secrecy and poor communication from leadership erode trust • No DEI framework — there is no formal diversity, equity, and inclusion program, policy, or clear approach to accommodating disabilities • High turnover of ambitious talent — driven, high-potential employees often leave due to limited growth opportunities and lack of support (see employee turnover in the HR dept).

1.0
Nov 7, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You work there for money, don't expect more.

Cons

They hire like crazy to get tax benefits, Guess what, thoses hard working people will all loose their jobs as thing bring chaos and a very toxic environment

Viewing 76 - 78 of 643 Reviews

Glassdoor has 810 MDA reviews submitted anonymously by MDA employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if MDA is right for you.