Pros
Great experience for staff just starting out. During recession, they tended to cut mid-level staff, keeping the upper-level "rainmakers" and the entry level cheap labor. As a result, young staff are pushed into levels of responsibility uncommon for experience level. Good reimbursement policies for testing expenses, including study materials. New leadership in Architectural Practice has infused optimism and energy. Good flexibility and balance with personal life, but extra hours will be required from time to time. I don't minding trading the occasional 60-70 hour week for flex-time and a generally relaxed culture the rest of the time.
Cons
Very corporate, with nearly all leadership concentrated in Fairfax headquarters. Compensation and benefits are competitive, but relatively stagnant year to year. Typically expect a 1.5% - 2% "salary adjustment" each year. More substantial raises seem to only come once you have a competing offer in hand, but they are unlikely to counter-offer or match a potential pay increase. Paths of advancement are unclear. Typically, you will just loaded with additional responsibilities and "evolve" into role of PA/PD or PM, without appropriate compensation increase. True promotions to levels of "Associate", "Senior Associate", "Principal" etc tend to favor those that are out bringing in work, and come much later in career relative to other firms. They seems to try and keep people as long as possible for as cheap as possible. Rumored that corporate bonus policy is to never give bonuses to non-officer level employees (Associate or higher), which essentially means anyone with less than 20 years experience.