Pros
The money is the best I've made in my 25 years as a professional engineer. The company encourages and provides training, including access to a large selection of technical books. Current manager is the second friendliest I have had. Very sincere and concerned for his people, and he has won company recognition for that as well. In the quarterly meetings, he hands out many awards to employees in recognition of their achievements ( and we all get a free lunch too).After our division won a perfect score from the customer, we received a $90 gift certificate to the restaurant of our choice.
Cons
Limited growth chances. Funding for my job was cut with only 2 weeks notice. SAIC has 1 job I qualify for in the area I live and getting my foot into that door is proving to be harder than it should be. My current manager is working to assist. The holiday pay is not what I would call "competitive" at only 9 days. Other contract houses I worked for (CSC and Dyncorp) offered 10 and 11 holidays. Cummins had twelve. Employees have expressed dissatisfaction with not receiving Veterans Day as a paid holiday, as most emplyees here are veterans. SAIC is not going to give that holiday to us, even though the government employees (our customer) have it as a holiday and we MUST take that day off. Virtually ALL jobs require a security clearance. It is a major headache to work in a secure area.