CALIBRE Systems Reviews

Former Employee – worked at CALIBRE Systems full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – The company is very employee-orientated with a great ESOP and other benefits. Flex schedules and the ability to work offsite when needed was great.

Cons – Adopting change was often difficult. Complacently was sometimes tolerated. Getting approval for training was nearly impossible.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at CALIBRE Systems full-time

Pros – Smart people, employee-owned firm, proficient in its niche with federal contracting, excellent focus on customer service, opportunities to grow and, to a lesser extent, develop professionally

Cons – Too-tied to federal contracts within Army, thanks to many in senior leadership being ex-Army or Army civilian employees. A little too risk-averse in some areas of business development, in that not clear on what skills should invest in to win new work. Strategy seems largely reactive.

Advice to Senior Management – Clearly delineate whether company is management consulting company or provider of staff augmentation on various contracts, as it is nearly impossible to do both well at the same time for the same customer.

Former Employee – worked at CALIBRE Systems full-time for more than a year

Pros – Team members are top notch.

Cons – Managers and directors need to communicate more effectively and not be scared to voice opinions.

Advice to Senior Management – Don't go public. Keep your employees happy, stay private owned.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at CALIBRE Systems full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Great benefits, employees are treated fairly, and the ESOP is important in that the earnings are distributed back to the employees. The folks that work hard and contribute the most are recognized and employment is a long-term proposition for a majority of personnel who have the commitment to working hard, remaining flexible, and putting the company first. IN addition to ESOP the company pays bonuses, matches 401K, and has other smaller perks that are great.

Cons – As is the case with most Government contractors, the market is tough, and competition is fierce. This industry is not one that you can come into and expect lifetime employment. You have to be flexible, work multiple contracts, and find ways to be better than the competition. CALIBRE does not pay the most--the base pay is fair, but it is middle of the pack as judged by salary survey--this is intentional. The good news is that total compensation is very good. The company pays overtime, the cash bonuses are great, and the ESOP really grows over time. But again, you have to work hard and be flexible--not everyone fits in Government contracting.

Advice to Senior Management – Continue expanding service offerings and keep working to bring in younger talent with fresh ideas. Don't ever change the ESOP!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at CALIBRE Systems

Pros – Headquarters environment appears to be a nice place to work
High degree of cohesion at company
Fair wages
Stock plan
Very many great people to work for/with

Cons – You have to be lucky enough to find the good people to work for/with
You have to put in your time before working @ corporate office (like indentured servitude)
All the good aspects of the company can be completely negated if you are put on a contract with a poor client
Very limited opportunities for high level advancement if you are not a retired military officer

Advice to Senior Management – Recognize that non-management employees are performers as well, and provide recognition and opportunities that reflect this.
Be more approachable and concerned with employee specific needs
Be more in tune with ground level (on-client site) employees - just because the issue hasn't been raised doesn't mean it doesn't exist and hasn't existed for some time

Former Employee – worked at CALIBRE Systems

Pros – Great benefits
Great corporate culture
information sharing among employees
interesting projects
opportunity for travel in some positions
Metro stop is very close to the corporate office

Cons – Don't expect to move into senior management unless you are a retired Army officer (06 or higher)
Usually contract specific employment
employees must be 100% billable
Job is only as secure as the contract you are working on if hey lose the contract you are working on you get let go unless they need tou elsewhere.
The corporate office is located just off the Capitol Beltway in the middle of the world's worst traffic jam.

Advice to Senior Management – Try to win some USAF and Navy contracts instead of focusing so heavily on Army work.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at CALIBRE Systems

Pros – Benefits were good. Professional development was encouraged but when you did try to take advantage of it and/or try to suggest changes or updates from what you learned, it wasn't taken into consideration.

Cons – Slow to change things
Nepotism was rampant
No professional growth unless you had prior military experience or connections to military or gov't.
There was a revolving door of people quitting every few months but management would have you believe it was on par with the national average of employee retention rate.
Whatever bonuses/awards that were given out to employees who exemplified CALIBRE's core values and mission were given to upper management. I don't doubt that certain ones in leadership were working hard but it does nothing for morale when the SAME directors and managers are getting these awards each year.
Definitely was a good ole boy network.
Accounting department needs to be completely overhauled.

Advice to Senior Management – Actually take into consideration suggestions from employees. Do things right the first time so there's no need to have a back up plan or do things over multiple times.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at CALIBRE Systems

Pros – Solid company for experienced professionals.

Cons – Too small to make waves, too big to be personal.

Advice to Senior Management – Review your VP's, they are costing you your only asset - your people!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at CALIBRE Systems

Pros – Personal time, Flex Schedule, and direct supervisor,reinbursement for education, certification reinbursement

Cons – room for advancement not there,favor,not graded on quality of work

Advice to Senior Management – N/A

Current Employee – been working at CALIBRE Systems

Pros – -my on site supervisor is very flexible about work schedules
-they pay for employees basic health insurance premium - but not family

Cons – If you're a schedule I employee, the benefits aren't too bad (5 weeks paid leave starting out, matching 401k, ESOP, HSA contribution) but if you're a Schedule II employee, then you're treated like a second class employee. CALIBRE did this as a way to save money on contract bids and shows that they do not care about their non-corporate employees.

Cons:
-no 401k matching
-poor salary - everyone in my office took at least a 10% pay cut with the new contract
-2 weeks paid leave after the 10 government holidays are taken out
-$0 contribution to spouse or family health insurance plan(s) (i.e. family costs ~$800/month)
-Vesting schedule such that you cannot become fully vested until 5 fiscal years in which you work 1000 hours or more. If your 5 year contract is awarded mid fiscal year there is little chance you'll work 5 fiscal years with 1000 hours.
-virtually none of the benefits that Schedule I employees get (i.e. tuition reimbursement, spot bonuses for certifications, etc.)

Advice to Senior Management – Treat your contract employees like all your corporate employees with the same benefits and you will have MUCH happier workers.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend