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General Atomics

Is this your company?

Good for some experience in Aerospace - Design Engineer General Atomics Employee Review

2.0
8 Nov 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting projects, relatively stable contracts, good benefits.

Cons

Company has very leftist values, wokeness is strong here. Colleagues pay close attention if you dont espouse similar belief systems - it will hurt your career growth opportunities. They made a very minimal adjustment for the 2021-2022 inflation spike but no where even close to the drastic change in cost of living here in SD. If you have to rent, youll be living in a dump. House prices have skyrocketed through the roof in less than a year. Same with everything else - Cost of living in SD is now outrageous and GA isnt doing anything about it. For new hires, its really bad news. Before you accept a job, really research housing costs and all your expected expenses for this area before you agree on a salary - in fact Id say negotiate very high, because once youre here, the bonuses and raises are negligible. With the current state of the economy and inflation, id say 2-3 years before youll be forced to move because youre falling behind financially.

Explore other reviews about General Atomics

5.0
8 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very good work life balance

Cons

9 hour shifts 4 days a week

3.0
11 Jun 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.

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