MITRE reviews

Decline in opportunity under severely cut federal funding (FFRDCs have been hit hard). Company is contracting, not growing. Long-term changes in prioritized work (less enjoyable R&D, feels more consultant-like). Constant stress of finding enough project work to remain fully booked. Work-life balance vanishes for higher-level positions. Lower relative pay.

Reductions in Force in full effect. Almost 2,000 RIF’d in a few short months. Despite obvious signs that the new administration isn’t that into us, business strategy remains stubbornly and doggedly fixed on trying to land large bloated contracts instead of meeting agencies where they are: smaller, cheaper, focused direct task orders. Culture is becoming toxic as “favorites” are being spared from RIFs while seasoned experts are getting the axe. It’s like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic because you don’t see the elephant in the room getting dealt with: high overhead rates and poor performing upper management.