United Launch Alliance Reviews in Denver, CO Area

Pros

It's interesting to work on rockets. I had an opportunity to delve into software a bit, which I was thankful for.

Cons

They're really disorganized. When I was put to work, I had absolutely nothing to do. When I started working, things were really boring.

Advice to Senior Management

You could start by taking away the bureaucratic reports that management is demanding. Also, quit laying people off; it made the place horrible to work for.

Pros

- The knowledge that, at some level, the company IS doing valuable things
- Fair compensation (salary and benefits)
- Most everyone is friendly (or at least respectful)
- Beautiful building in a wonderful city and state

Cons

The work in my department (cost estimating) was extremely redundant. I think that my department, as well as many other of the "business" departments need massive layoffs- perhaps even scrapping entire departments. First-level management is not interested in training the new hires, giving them consistent work or even acknowledging their existence in some cases (one guy I knew didn't have a desk on his first day and his manager forgot that he was starting then). The review process is a total joke- pretty much the equivalent of "grade inflation" in the post-college world. Of course, how can you be reviewed correctly if your manager doesn't know what you're doing? You can't blame them entirely, though; how are people supposed to manufacture work for you to do when, in complete truthfulness- there is absolutely NO REASON for you to be working there?

Advice to Senior Management

Bring in the "Bobs" and get lean(er). If I were a doctor for corporations, I would say ULA's body-mass-index is around 40, and they need to go on a strict diet of engineers (should be the base of their food pyramid) and part-time businesspeople. Cost estimators, finance analysts, etc.- USE SPARINGLY.

Pros

Exciting industry to work in. Good training opportunities in the area of process improvment. Potential to grow into a world class company, once the leadership decides to put aside the old way of doing business.

Cons

Heavy politics and paranoia. Most managers are ready to blame every issue on "incompetent staff" or poor training, but not willing to take the responsibility to do anything about it.

Extremely high level of nepotism and "good ol' boy" network.

Advice to Senior Management

Outside of your friends and family, the majority of the employees doing the day to day work were hired because of what they know and what they can do. Give them the tools that they need, let them do their jobs and listen to the people who "turn the wrenches" because they know more about what it takes to get the job done than the managers who demonstrate the Peter Principle so strongly.

Pros

Great benefits:
3 week vacation
flexible 9/80 schedule
401k matching
low-cost health care
great location
work load is very managable
tuition reimbursement
annual bonus.. almost guaranteed..
no OT required.. (99% of OT is by choice)
Paid overtime

Cons

Impossible to get a promotion.
Lower pay rate than average financial analyst (~20% less)
Avg employee age in the high 40's.. who are against change and young people.
VERY top heavy. manager to regular employee ratio approx 40/60.. this should be corrected soon through layoffs.
CEO has clearly stated that all employees are free to leave the company if they are not satisfied.
employees over 45 are waiting for retirement.
employees under 35 are waiting for the economy to improve to leave this company.
It is a sad sight.

Advice to Senior Management

there is a reason why all older workers are staying, and the younger ones are leaving. The management needs to cater to the younger employees. Look at the salary distribution and work performance. The younger employee are doing more complicated work than their older average counterparts. Yet, the younger employees are paid 50% less for no apparent reason/difference.
Restructure the compensation system now for security later.

Pros

- great 401K plan (fully vested day 1)
- good employee perks (free tickets to sporting events, food, entertainment)
- good vacation schedules, generally good benefits

Cons

- Many managers come from one of two member companies either lockheed or boeing and they bring all the baggage you'd expect from such ole companies. (slow to change, buddy system management structure, TPS reports, etc)
- Constant shakeups in leadership and restructuring plans are more than birthing pains for a new company, they show a lack in control of operations/planning.
- I've worked for many defense contractors and subsidiaries during my career and this place is the most unstable outfit by far. It's the first place i have ever felt the need to review publicly

Advice to Senior Management

A culture of honesty is important to information age workers. People who posses talent in their field should be rewarded for hard work, long hours, and dedication that goes past the work-a-day mentality. Young employees need more chances for advancement as talent wont wait for a sluggish institution to catch up in today's information economy.

Pros

Working in the rocket industry is very interesting. It's fun to see your "work" launch. Great place to get a little experience in engineering.

Cons

Not a lot of room for advancement. Being a new company, the executive leadership is still trying to figure everything out.

Advice to Senior Management

Management needs to create more opportunities for the younger engineers to advance at ULA. ULA is not a place where good mentoring takes place.

Pros

Opportunities to get involved in space flight.

Cons

Slow moving and older culture.

Advice to Senior Management

Increase the opportunities to the younger generation that are starting to fill your ranks.

Pros

No micro management, no one looking over your shoulder. Very relaxed environment. Hours are very flexible. Benefits package is the best you will find. Campus is beautiful.

Cons

Extremely slow and full of red tape. If you want to make one software change or bug fix, expect 6 months of paperwork, review meetings, QA meetings, etc, etc.

The company has merged but everyone, including management, is still performing their same role as Delta OR Atlas.

If there is a layoff, management is not even mentioned. Management is always safe. When groups were merged under one manager, they still kept the extra manager and made up a job title. So now they are trying to reduce staff numbers and cutting from the bottom. Can anyone say favoritism?

Looks good on your resume but your engineering skills will deteriorate. Extremely old software languages and hardware. You will become more outdated every day you work there.

Most people are cold and want to simply work and go home. The life'rs are in it for the pay and benefits and are just counting down the days till retirement. No outside group activities. You feel lonely and isolated.

Advice to Senior Management

Cut positions where they are no longer needed. Do not look at seniority or the buddy buddy system. Make managers of merged groups take responsibility for both Delta and Atlas jobs. Try to get people to interact with each other instead of letting people stay hermits. When people never talk to others, there is no spread of knowledge that way.

Pros

There are some groups that have technical challenges. It is a relaxed environment to work in. The surrounding city is nice.

Cons

No room to grow technically. No support to challenge. This program is old and established and not interested in changing or developing.

Advice to Senior Management

Figure out how to grow as a company. Quit thinking of yourself as Boeing and Lockheed and letting the government determine the direction of research.

Pros

Pay is competitive to other large aerospace businesses. Great location - plenty to do outside of work and a great climate (except in the middle of a Colorado snow storm). Overall, most people are warm and friendly and willing to help you out if you have questions. Easy to transfer into different departments. Everyone has a sense of pride.

Cons

There is still a sense of being stratified between the former Lockheed Martin and Boeing employees as well as between the baby boomers and the younger generation. Many 50+ and many 20-30. Very few in between. Not diverse.

Advice to Senior Management

Advertise the company to schools in other states to increase diversity and help our newly formed reputation. Keep the 9/80 work schedule. It is great and I don't know one person who wishes it was a normal schedule.