A good place to work government contracting, but multiple fiefdoms make for uneven experiences - Senior Intelligence Analyst, Level 41 SAIC Employee Review

4.0
Jun 17, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you are an individual with a security clearance, the SAIC "brand" has cachet in the government contracting arena, for whatever that is worth. With 44,000 employees worldwide, there are a lot of opportunities; the problem is finding them when you want them. Healthcare and other benefits are good. HR is responsive. If you are transitioning to SAIC from the military, you will be shocked at its efficiency. Their base salary was fair compared to BAE, and better than my peers at BAH. It is possible to get a signing bonus; I got a 5K one. Finally, SAIC also is involved in some great work, if you can link up with the right business unit.

Cons

Despite its reorganization, SAIC is still a company of multiple fiefdoms. Managers are concerned about their own bottom line, Business units and divisions are often indistinguishable in terms of mission and market segment. If your local management is good, things are great, if they are not, you will experience friction. Many individuals (including myself) conducted SETA work (glorified out sourcing) at the government client site. This gave us great exposure to the client, but none to our own leadership. As a result promotions, professional development, corporate goals and career progression were all big mysteries. For many people, loyalty waned as a result. This cycle feeds SAIC's high turnover.

Explore other reviews about SAIC

5.0
Jul 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Love the contract -People are great to work with -Very flexible with times -If had a very long day, can lessen time to work less later in week

Cons

-Sometimes you gotta work a long freaking day -Have to be ready to get called to go to base at like 1 am

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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