Working at SAIC in San Diego, CA - Research Scientist SAIC Employee Review

3.0
Apr 19, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits were good when I joined SAIC however as years go by we're getting less and less. Salary is excellent but beware (see downsides). Location, location, location - San Diego, CA. How can you go wrong? Get to work on some pretty cool, cutting edge programs

Cons

Lack of teamwork and sharing of information. As a female, I've seen some instances of the good 'ole boy mentality. Lack of professional development opportunities unless you are one of "the chosen ones". Although the salary is excellent one has to be careful because the company operates on "time sold" metric. Time-sold is basically the hours you can bill to a direct contract. If you are working on a program, such as an internal research and development or general overhead, they are indirect so it doesn't bode well for your time sold statistic therefore you may get pressure get your time-sold up. This may mean that you will have to work on your own time, uncompensated, on the indirect program so you can bill a direct charge program. Another potential issue with the excellent salary is that all program managers have access to that information so they know what you make. This helps them for budgeting however it could hinder you because they might choose a lower paid person to do a job you could do just as well or even better. To get work you do have to fend for yourself in some divisions while others, management helps to make sure you have work.

Explore other reviews about SAIC

5.0
May 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The SAIC management on my contract are excellent.

Cons

After completing my first years, I have no complaints. My SAIC experience has been everything that I had hoped.

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SAIC Response
1mo
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We wish you continued success and appreciate your efforts in making SAIC such a great place to work.
2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent learning and development opportunities. Some really passionate and hard working people on your teams. Performance management is relaxed and flexible.

Cons

Benefits are wildly expensive for a company of their size. Was laid off with 1.5 months notice right before Christmas. Months prior to layoff was forced to use my PTO due to gov shutdown, but was still getting my full paycheck during shutdown. I believe this was so that they could diminish our PTO banks so they would have to pay out less when they laid us off. Laid off with zero severance despite being at company for almost 4 years and being in good standing. No efforts from management to make connections for a new internal role despite being strongly encouraged to search internally. New CEO Jim is not personable at all. Gives heavy corporate and cog in a machine vibes. Rumor has it that in the defense contracting industry, SAIC will be faring rather poorly within next 1-4 years.

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