Arete Associates Reviews

Pros

The company performs research and development in many fascinating areas. Employees are encouraged to be creative and win new business through SBIR proposals. Management looks for and rewards technical excellence.

Cons

Much of the work is highly classified, making it impossible to share the exciting technical developments with friends and family.

Advice to Senior Management

As the company grows, we need to take advantage of the increased ability to work collaboratively, while being careful to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit.

Pros

Company is healthy and growing

Cons

Company growth has occurred so rapidly that some poor choices were made in hiring especially in support staff. Company did not correct the problems soon enough, impacting the rest of the group. Too much new management means too much change and decisions that are not consistent with existing Arete culture. Some groups work very well together, and other groups have major communication lapses.

Advice to Senior Management

Slow down the growth. Try to promote within when possible instead of bringing in so many outside faces that don't truly understand the Arete culture. Restructuring was a mistake. Improve communication downward to employees.

Pros

The benefits, paid time off, stock, and retirement plans are all very generous. The company is employee owned and technically small at less than 500 people. Over 50% of the company members have PhDs in fields like Physics, Engineering, etc. The management hierarchy is filled with the PhD'd people rather than with MBA people. The culture is goal-oriented and comfortable. Everyone is nice and works to work together.

Cons

The two primary locations are in very high cost of living regions. The company is growing very rapidly so the competetion for promotions among those hired over the current 5 year period will be over-inflated.

Advice to Senior Management

A greater tolerance for flexible schedules and working remotely would be nice to ameliorate having to live in the high cost of living areas and would reduce crowding in the offices.