NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Employee Reviews about "benefit"
89% would recommend to a friend
(107 total reviews)
Dr. Laurie Leshin
90% approve of CEO
What people are saying about NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
- "A good work/life balance with a 9/80 schedule where you work 9 hours each work day and get every other Friday off." (in 56 reviews)
- "Some managers have no business being managers because they can't delegate (this is true across NASA)." (in 19 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is not affected by filters.
Found 107 of over 1K reviews
Updated Nov 28, 2023
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Reviews about "benefit"
Return to all Reviews- 2.0Nov 17, 2019Beware of JPL With It's Old Time Management StyleCurrent Employee, more than 10 yearsPasadena, CA
Pros
9/80 work schedule some minor retirement perqs at 55 interesting project work
Cons
Managers consider time at your desk as only productive time no room to grow in your career low pay - coupled with being located in one of the most expensive places to live in the US poor benefits despite what HR says horrible harassment by managers that is tolerated by all including HR Managers will threaten you if you complain
9 - 4.0Mar 30, 2016InternCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearPasadena, CA
Pros
- Nice environment, you can pass by a person who is working on really interesting space misisons - Good benefits when properly employed (is what I heard) - A lot of different activites offered like talks and sporting events - RDOs!
Cons
- Work environment can be very different in different groups/sections - Sometimes you just work to come up with proposals to get funding for projects that are unfeasable
1 - 3.0Feb 17, 2022Systems EngineerCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsPasadena, CA
Pros
Prestige, location, personnel, retirement, professionalism, vacation and sick-leave
Cons
Benefits other than retirement and time-off, lacking in hardware development, lack of processes, salary
- 5.0Mar 4, 2014Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 10 years
Pros
How many places in the world offer the opportunity to send your software to Mars? JPL has introduced me to many cutting edge technologies and there is always something new to learn and great, smart people to work with. The benefits for my family are great and you can't ask for a better location in Pasadena/La Canada. JPL allows me to have flexible schedule which helps be more involved in the life of my children.
Cons
JPL's budget is approved by congress, and that can sometimes have unpredictable consequences. However, these impacts are usually minor.
- 5.0Jul 18, 2023Robotics InternFormer Intern, less than 1 yearPasadena, CA
Pros
Surrounded by brilliant people who want to push the limits of human understanding. Fantastic resources for vertical and horizontal mobility within the organization. A friendly and intellectually curious culture.
Cons
The internship program would have benefitted from more structure and direction.
- 5.0Jul 28, 2022Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsPasadena, CA
Pros
- The projects are mind-blowing a - Getting to work hands-on on flight hardware is exciting - Challenging work, different roles to juggle, great learning experience - Always work to do, never a dull moment - Peers are smart, kind, and resilient - Management seems to be aware of internal issues and does try their best to move things in a more positive direction - The benefits are great - 9/80 work schedule is nice
Cons
- Depending on the group you are in there could be management politics going on. But things change quite fast here and people are shifted around, so they are aware of issues - Depending on the project and schedule, the hours can sometimes be long or extended
- 3.0May 18, 2014Systems EngineerCurrent Employee, more than 10 yearsPasadena, CA
Pros
- It is the only place I have ever worked where (and it is up to the individual's effort and contribution), the opportunities and lessons are extraordinary and unique. - The talent, dedication and commitment of some of the people have been inspiring and motivating. The knowledge and experience of some of the folks who have been around create fantastic mentoring opportunities. - The technology and mission studies are cutting edge. - Relatice to industry, the pay is 'comparable', it's not as high but they don't work you to death. Very relax hours and flexibility in schedules. Excellent benefits package and retirement through TIAA-CREF.
Cons
Although one can learn a lot, career growth is limited, as well as compensation. JPL does not reward on performance. You are ranked based on performance but actual raises are based on the availability of funds by divisions. After more 10 years, you have to find a personal reason to want to make the effort. I fall in the group of folks who see this place as a way to gain experience and improve my resume. I have people around me who show up (and that's a big if), do the minimum and contribute only when necessary. It can be demoralizing sometimes. And as a woman, this place is sexist. It is still very much an old boys club and those inside, work very hard to keep others out. I see some incredible leaders and some are women, but the pervasive sexist mentality is what brings the place down.
6 - 4.0Dec 10, 2015Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearThousand Oaks, CA
Pros
Great benefits for current employees - vacation and sick leave, and employer provided health care. There is also consideration for work - life balance. Work schedules are flexible and telecommuting is an option for some positions.
Cons
Benefits are being degraded. Retireeseses are quite upset about changes (reductions) to the benefits they were promised.
1 - 5.0May 10, 2016Anonymous ContractorCurrent Contractor, more than 1 yearPasadena, CA
Pros
Encouraged to think both independently and collaboratively. Very progressive thinking with management and open to new ideas. Atmosphere of the agency is friendly and positive. People like to come to work and enjoy the things they are working on.
Cons
As a contractor there are no benefits and no taxes taken out. Hits you hard at the end of the year or with an unexpected medical expense. Certain locations have limited space and you may have to make due in a cubicle farm. Occasional favoritism between senior scientists and other researchers.
