Institute for Defense Analyses reviews

Core values endure; hard issues get addressed; sponsor requirements continue to advance serious global security topics

Very supportive environment Challenging and interesting work IDA invests significantly in your professional development Relatively flat structure -- success is not defined by moving up a ladder. Some researchers have been at IDA for decades, have been very successful and are highly valued, and continue to predominantly do research work by their own choice, and this is not viewed as failure or stagnation. Others take on formal management roles fairly early on. Others slide into project leadership for a while, slide back out, and so on over time. Aside from travel (which varies considerably based on your division, project, etc.), IDA researchers are rarely asked or even pressured to work outside of standard work hours. IDA provides fantastic work-life balance. IDA is very flexible, allowing hybrid in-office/remote working and somewhat flexible hours outside of some core business hours.