Space Dynamics Laboratory Reviews

If you're looking to flex your writer wings, this is not the place to do it. The main duties of the tech writers are copy/paste from past documents and note taking during meetings. Very little actual writing, editing, or proofreading is part of the job. Thankfully, when you DO proofread, people do appreciate it. But those instances are few and far between. They want administrative assistants. Every single Program Manager thinks their project should be your #1 priority, which is impossible. Heaven forbid you don't do their bidding immediately with a grin. The culture stinks. Everyone hibernates in their own offices (which seems great at first, but honestly, just isolates everyone and destroys all chance of building relationships with coworkers). The executive team members can't remember my name, even after introducing themselves to me multiple times (e.g. I'm on my 6th handshake with one, telling him my name and job title, and being told "It's good to meet you.") When I was hired, I was promised a flexible schedule, with the chance to work at home. The minute I tried to take advantage of this promise, it was clearly not acceptable. Management expects an 'butt in every seat' and act like it's a major inconvenience when you take a vacation or day off. Even working from home, with full internet, no scheduled meetings, and handing out my personal cell number was not good enough. I have so many meetings, I can't get productive work done, yet everyone has a pressing deadline. This is a common complaint at the start of each meeting. How can anyone focus on a project when meetings are booked back to back for half the week? And most of them could be an email or report from the PM. I honestly took this job due to the salary and the positive reviews on Glassdoor. But, it's clear now that those reviews were posted by those who fit the mold: typically people of that certain religion and happy to have a job that pays for the white picket fence and mortgage. If you don't fit in that box, you'll likely not be happy here.

While SDL contributes to some of the most cutting-edge technology out in the world, the culture feels like it's 20 to 30 or even 40 years behind industry standards. The nepotism is blatant. Sexism, too. I heard from more than a few female coworkers who said they were discriminated against based on their gender and experienced comments about not being married and having careers. Just look at all of the senior leadership—it's clear what type of person and demographic SDL elevates and promotes to leadership roles. Additionally, they offer the bare minimum parental leave, which makes the whole "family-friendly" bit seem like hot air. They operate on an archaic career ladder system that promotes people based strictly on how many years worked rather than performance.