Northrop Grumman – “Potential, often stymied.”

Pros

Decent reputation both among peers and the government. Unique opportunities that only defense contractors can offer, and the ability to shift across entire industries while keeping within the same company. The senior management communicates often with the entire company, and they are constantly realigning the company's structure with the market and the internal business flow. Since NG has acquired so many smaller companies, there are often pockets of quite knowledgeable and savvy engineers in all sectors. Happily, I have never witnessed any unethical or corrupt behavior on the operational or development side of the company, and have not seen projects that deserve serious moral reservation.

Cons

Large defense contractors are dysfunctional behemoths. The business and financial side of contracting with the government as currently practiced can only aspire to mediocrity at best, and complete waste usually. Not the flexible, agile workplace that it should be, especially when compared to other technology companies. Poor biz development practices for its software and IT operations. Disappointing (eg zero) funding for professional development. Compared to peers, miserly in it's education assistance package. Encourages fat and laziness in its employees by making the contracting process so damn convoluted and opaque. Make sure you get on a prime contract that your division and OU wins, not as a hand-me-down from another part of the company or contractor.

Advice to Senior Management

As a giant in the industry, you can dictate reforms in contracts that others cannot. Go smaller and faster wherever possible.