Pros
Company focuses on challenging technical topics and gives freedom to scientific and engineering staff to pursue efforts of interest to them as well as the company. Loyalty to staff even when funding is limited. Benefits are above average - even for a company the size of CFDRC. It's early in the process but the organization seems interested in engaging staff and growing - including creating opportunities for engineers and scientists to control the next phase of growth for the organization. Currently working to transfer more ownership to the employees through ESOP, which creates long term financial opportunities for employees.
Cons
Limited success outside of core business areas - but growth has not been a focus before now. Lack of development of new leaders/managers in various technical areas (another focus of the new CEO). Some of the research is through SBIR/STTR contracts, which while providing challenging technical opportunities require more proposal preparation than other contract vehicles due to the nature of the program.