BAE Systems Land and Armaments Reviews

Pros

Downsizing in defense spending has created an environement of contraction, which doesn't support a culture of growth.

Cons

Opportunits for advancement don't exist anymore.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more transparent with employees.

Pros

Great product with great customer.
Product save lives and benefits the nation

Cons

in a downward spiral with management at the throttle that have knowledge of the product line or customer. BAE bought UDLP and management in place are from a different industry that has an entirely business model and customer

Advice to Senior Management

Listen more to customer and the "old" employees that have served the customer successfully for more than forty years. It may be too late, but try to make meaningful changes and treat your people with respect.

Pros

The work is great, the product is great, not many jobs out there where you can work on combat vehicles and get your hands on real products. Mid management is great.

Cons

Current senior level management is not doing a great job communicating the future of the group. Attempts to uproot and move folks from the west to the east is introducing a lot of uncertainties and lots of great knowledge and talents are being lost.

Pros

The people at BAE were like family.

Cons

Lack of Communications from Management

Pros

Great variety of development and test work between different projects. Always seemed like something new coming along to work on. Very friendly and helpful coworkers and middle management.

Cons

Santa Clara site is slowly being closed. Little work to do at the end of my job made it boring. A lot of government bureaucracy made many projects move along very slowly.

Pros

Interesting work
Good people
Good work life balance

Cons

Poor management
Defense business is uncertain

Advice to Senior Management

Communication and honesty, at least a little

Pros

Older, experienced, easy-to-work-with people. Good benefits, though these are getting trimmed a bit. Satisfaction in knowing we're "protecting those who protect us". There used to be more employee appreciation. Flexible hours; many arrive before dawn.

Cons

Poor management-down communication. Lack of managerial foresight regarding layoffs; let the wong people go. Should be more feedback, e.g. how did we do at this or that equipment show?
Lack of proper recognition of employee contributions.

Advice to Senior Management

Work harder at getting contracts. Cut back and wait instead of laying off and then being short-staffed. Keep Santa Clara Plant 7 going; that's where it all began!

Pros

Flexible schedule; great health and dental benefits; 401(k) matching;

Cons

Unclear direction from management. Lots of recent reduction in work force in recent years.

Advice to Senior Management

What's happening? Another reorganization in two years shows signs of weakness in leadership.

Pros

Excellent Pay and Benefits. Tremendous challenges to be solved in any field. Broad Range of opportunities. Excellent training programs. BAE hires some of the best people - your coworkers will be top notch.

Cons

Defense industry cycles have big impacts on hirings / layoffs. If the contracts aren't coming in for your business unit you will have to let good people go during the inevitable RIF (Reduction In Force). This is a defense industry challenge that BAE is not immune to.

Advice to Senior Management

Make better use of independent defense contractors to minimize the effects of the reduction in force. Contractors know from the start that they are only there for a contract.

Pros

Benefits, matching 401, making a product for the American soldier.

Cons

Not knowing if the plant will be open in 6 months