Pros
The day-to-day workers are generally bright, committed to the mission, and most understand the value of collaboration. The experts that are left are trying their best, despite Management's efforts to stifle good work. Retirement benefits are the last remaining good benefit.
Cons
Senior mangers are have hired too many outside people that don't understand the FFRDC mission, and are pushing revenue and speed over quality. Most of the C-Suite is living in some kind of alternative reality from the rest of the workforce. It used to be that in exchange for slightly lower pay, workers got decent benefits. But they've been slashed to be the same or worse than most competitors. MITRE's primary value was in the expertise it brought to the table, but senior management's flippant attitude, dismissive behavior, disregard for employees, and interest in quantity over quality has driven much of that expertise out of the company. Many sponsors no longer see value in MITRE without that expertise.