It always comes down to (bad) management in the long run. - Engineer General Atomics Employee Review

1.0
Mar 12, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The pay is adequate. The work and co-workers are interesting. Once you get over the bad management, you don’t have to work too hard. They have nice facilities up on the hill.

Cons

Management lies to customers and employees. They are rude as they do so. It is a well known secret around the industry. Your supervisor will not protect you since they are busy managing up. It is a fiefdom, and you are a serf. Your job is to parrot the ideas approved by senior management. As a good employee, try to look surprised when they fail.

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.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All