Great place to work - Principal Software Systems Engineer MITRE Employee Review

5.0
Jul 14, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There's a lot of interesting research work and surprisingly few internal barriers for switching between projects and getting internal funding for research. In contrast compared to a commercial company, there's no legacy software to maintain because most work is new development for limited release and proof of concept. Once a research product gets to point where it demonstrates value, it usually transitions into an existing government and/or commercial product and is maintained by an external company. The research culture also does not follow the "publish or perish" mindset of academia. In my 9 year tenure I've grown from senior to lead to principal without a PhD or Masters Degree.

Cons

Some managers lean a little too much the employee to seek out new projects and coordinate their own work/roles on a project. It's not a problem for me but management could do a better job organizing their workforce rather than relying on their workforce to self organize; A little of both is probably best.

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MITRE Response
10y
We’re happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed the research work and projects you’ve been able to work on while you’ve been with the company. We appreciate your feedback and will encourage managers to maintain structure and while still allowing their employees the flexibility to pursue different projects and develop their skillsets.

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5.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work life balance, not too competitive

Cons

Slightly lower comp compared to other for profit companies in the area

3.0
Jan 23, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great diversity, quality of life and staff. Been with MITRE over 20 years.

Cons

Too many VP,s that are not held accountable. Company recently RIF'd 24 staff from FAA FFRDC, due to dropping gov't funding...yet company has significant number of VPs all sucking off of overhead. No attempt to manage money within the "leadership" ranks. Last year company went through a major business transformation...that failed...yet, VPs held staff accountable for reporting on a subpar system that lasted over 12 months. Could not even get business data to report to gov't for over 2 months, yet, person who was in charge of the business transformation is still at MITRE. If this happened to any other MITRE employee, they would've been gone. Oddly enough the person in charge of the business transformation is the CEOs brother. Amazing how that happens. He'll probably get a bonus because of his substandard performance. MITRE recently invested in opening up an office in Australia. All on company overhead. significant large numbers of VPs travelling out to "visit"...yet company has the audacity to reduce benefits as part of cost cutting measures. Company has now taken on a "for profit" mentality. It's all about delivery... so VPS and GMs can spend, spend, spend. Board of Directors should take a good look at what is happening and make some swift changes from the CEO on down. BOD should also implement an independent IG like entity to investigate what is seeming like waste, fraud and abuse by CEO, GMs and VPs. Time for the Fat Cats to get purged!!!

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