Pros

Northrop Grumman offers good benefits and good opportunity to balance work and life.

Cons

If you work on a contract you'll periodically go through the rebid process. Finding other work at Northrop if a contract ends is far from guaranteed. But, while the contract is good you know you're good, so it goes both ways. Also when on contract your raise will probably barely keep pace with the cost of living because the company wants to make a certain percentage profit.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more flexible in allowing former employees to come back at their prior level of benefits.