Poor Management Practices - Systems Engineer Exelis Employee Review

3.0
13 Aug 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people at the lower levels. As an engineer I think some of the best reasons to work for ITT is the opportunity to work on a wide variety of technologies. In my business unit, people do have the freedom to work on technologies that they find interesting. Also, the stability of working for the industry leader is nice. In some ways, the benefits are better than any other company I have worked at.

Cons

The level and quality of engineering is overall pretty low, lower than many other companies: many people still use the same tools as they used 30 years ago. Other are jealous of what they know and try not to share it with anybody (job security?!?). Process is very very long and frustrating: with 40k employees, it sometimes takes a week to do a 1 hour job. It all explain why many products are coming from acquisitions and are not developed internally. There is no diversity at all in engineering. Also, from the level of director going up, many are "retired": they are just interested in getting their bonus and consider sending random emails at random hours (with their blackberry and similar) a valid proof that they are working around the clock. There are not many chances to improve your career unless you are one of the boys. It is pretty sick that a lazy PM that has lost tons of money is still around.

Explore other reviews about Exelis

5.0
5 Mar 2023
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Best group of individual, smart, dedicated, committed and really care about each other

Cons

none - they did an amazing job

3.0
10 June 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

By for the best reason to work at Exelis is the work/life balance. There is a very laid back culture here where as long as you get your work done on time, you can get away with almost anything. Personally I work a very variable work schedule because it is convenient for me and my management doesn't have any problems with it as long as I do my 40 hrs a week and get my work done.

Cons

Outside of the better than average work/life balance everything else is pretty much sub-par. Employees are not compensated well. Promotions are not given without a fight and even when promoted most people receive a title bump without a salary increase. The profit sharing bonus we have been receiving for the past few years has ranged from 0.03-0.05% which is nothing compared to the profit this company makes. There are opportunities for good and interesting work here but, most times you have to be lucky/connected enough to get assigned to the groups that get the work.

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