MITRE – “good company overall”

Pros

MITRE is primarily a systems engineering oriented company, where much of the work is higher level (requirements, specification, policy, test plans); but there are also opportunities for hands-on work (software development, prototyping, applied research, testing). MITRE has a very big internal research program, where millions of dollars are spent each year on research in a broad number of domain areas.

Cons

As a whole MITRE is a “flat” organization and people – even a lower levels – are expected to work without much hand holding. This can be an issue for junior staff where mentoring can be lacking. Due to the focus area of MITRE’s work programs it is fairly top heavy with a large number of senior engineers and managers.

Advice to Senior Management

Better mentoring of junior staff. Better system for recognizing and rewarding good work (i.e., objective criteria). Less politics and BS-ing.