Software Engineering Institute Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Software Engineering Institute full-time for less than a year

Pros – This company has an excellent leadership team that knows what they are doing. The Interview process was smooth but long but the people were so friendly and team oriented. The upper level executive come from a highly educated and diverse background. One of the biggest things that helped make my decision for employment was the affiliation with Carnegie Mellon University and the benefits that come with it.

Cons – I don't really have a downside to describe this company.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the excellent work. Don't change something if it isn't broken.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Software Engineering Institute as a contractor for less than a year

Pros – SEI is operated under CMU, and so has incredible benefits.

Cons – Re-org day 1. The person I had interviewed with 3 months prior, and was looking forward to working with was replaced by someone who strongly disliked the technology I was hired to work with. This all happened shortly after noon on my first day.

Interesting job, but the environment is over-political and I rarely saw any reward for talent. In one case I even saw a promotion to vulnerability analyst from a monitor who had absolutely no knowledge in her new field, yet was well liked.

Stories of people who have come to work here on the first day, and do not return after lunch - started to make sense my first week.

Advice to Senior Management – It seems you have any real talent in your organization at CERT. You should consider hiring talented people for a change, and promoting them.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Software Engineering Institute

Pros – There are strong benefits to being associated with a college campus (CMU) and the work/life balance is generally respected. Good mix of research and operational support.

Cons – The research component of the institution sometimes trumps customer demands and requirements. PhDs are given too much weight and influence. Compensation, bonuses and promotions are at times entirely unclear (though compensation isn't bad).

Advice to Senior Management – Be more transparent about compensation, promotion and bonuses. Stop bringing in new work if you can't handle what we currently have.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Software Engineering Institute

Pros – Cutting edge work. Good, honorable mission. Opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

Cons – No corporate strategy. Senior management does not solve problems which make it hard to perform work. Promotion process confused and does not follow documented processes. Say we had the best year ever financially and gave 1% raises. Very poor corporate communication to employees.

Advice to Senior Management – Treat your talent like they are your best asset. Enable them, not impede them.

Current Employee – been working at Software Engineering Institute

Pros – If you are seeking freedom in professional growth, semi-relaxed environment, very stable place for building long term professional relationship, it place for you.

Cons – One of the downsides in SEI is that the pace of your professional life is extremely dependent on department you are in. Very often your work is not stimulating you to obtain hand-on technological experience or to explore a new technology. Everything will be depending strictly on you.

Advice to Senior Management – Give more attention to your employee’ s qualification and previous experience. You will be surprised what hidden pearls you have.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Software Engineering Institute

Pros – SEI/CERT has more clout than any other security organization. Working with people that see 5-10 years out where the industry is going. Opportunities for expanding knowledge and working with top people.

Cons – Management needs more soft skills and recognize employees when they accomplished their goals. Need more communication on direction and goals.

Advice to Senior Management – Provide transparency in company management. Be willing to recognize when good work has been accomplished. Provide more guidance in career management within.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend