Institute for Defense Analyses Reviews

Pros

Great work environment, varied projects.

Cons

Administrative functioning can be slow.

Pros

I was located at one of IDA’s centers (Center for Computing Sciences) & the culture of this place was like no other; I loved it! CCS has a very laid-back work environment and the schedule is very flexible. The people are great as well. They also offer pretty good benefits for a company of its caliber. There are also opportunities to step into different career fields across the organization, which could also mean there are numerous opportunities to learn, grow, & advance. I LOVED working there and would definitely go back if presented the right opportunity.

Cons

- Pay (for those in non-research positions) - Lack of training for those in management positions

Pros

Dedicated Staff Supporting and Contributing to an Important Mission…Yet not important enough to ensure that it’s security personnel at ALL levels meet requisite qualifications, credentials, leadership and ethical standards. LOYALITY is to an Institution and it’s mission NOT to an INDIVIDUAL

Cons

Missed opportunities to correct discrepancies in selection process of qualified security personnel with requisite credentials to perform unaccompanied in common restricted access areas. Networking notwithstanding - poor business practices, resulting in reduced morale as there is little to no oversight of hiring managers facilitating the hire of friends in supervisory and non supervisory positions who fail to meet key requirements. Such practices create redundancies in staffing schedules and expense to “babysit” new and existing personnel who have no eligibility.

Pros

Very friendly staff and innovative projects for interns. Was a wonderful experience for interns to get to learn and carry out meaningful work.

Cons

No housing stipend for the stay unfortunately.

Pros

Great benefits as an FFRDC. Basically a pseudo federal employee. 401k is exceptionally generous - much better than FAANG. Very interesting work.

Cons

Cons are pay scales are not transparent and upward mobility is mainly driven by educational degree. If you don't have a PhD you won't ever truly elevate in the organization unless you have 15 + years coming in of work experience.

Pros

Plenty of pros: caring teammates; important work; good perks.

Cons

Career growth path is long-winded and obscure and depends on the division you're in. It needs to be transparent across the company.

Pros

exposure to government agencies and work

Cons

limited growth opportunities for fellows

Pros

All other departments except for Physical Security department.

Cons

Physical security department is right back where it started. Too much favoritism, security breaches around uncleared personnel, still no standard operating procedures, security officers' surveillance of other security officers instead of completing their duties, security officers bragging about getting other security officers terminated.

Pros

-You get to choose what you want to work on -Work life balance -Company culture -Work from home -Excellent place to build up your resume

Cons

-Salary -High-level experts are in Silicon Valley

Pros

You get to work with a group of smart, dedicated people on interesting and important problems in national security

Cons

IDA has a reasonably flat organizational structure, so there are very few opportunities for advancement in job title. But there are plenty of ways to distinguish yourself and advance professionally.