Best Companies in the Defense Industry

Amentum

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees who have nominated Amentum often point to a culture that values teamwork and provides opportunities for advancement and relocation. Staff members report satisfaction with their compensation and working conditions, appreciating leaders who trust them to work independently. However, some employees express concerns about a decline in workplace culture under new management, citing stagnant wages and rising insurance costs. These staff members feel that while the company excels at securing contracts, it sometimes does so at the expense of employee benefits and support.

Anduril Industries

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that Anduril Industries fosters a relaxed and supportive culture with a flat hierarchy that empowers them with ownership over their work. Employees describe the benefits as top-tier, with comprehensive health coverage and flexible time off that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The company’s innovative approach to defense technology and its rapid growth are seen as providing exciting opportunities. Leadership is viewed as accessible and engaged, contributing to a strong sense of mission and high overall job satisfaction among the team.

BAE Systems

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that BAE Systems offers a collaborative environment where they feel a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose in their mission-critical work. Staff members note the availability of career development opportunities, including support for further education and internal mobility. While the company provides flexible work schedules, some employees feel the demands of certain projects can lead to burnout. Perceptions of compensation and benefits are mixed, with some finding them competitive while others see room for improvement, particularly regarding work-life balance and leadership support.

Battelle Memorial Institute

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at Battelle Memorial Institute frequently report a positive and collaborative work environment with intelligent and supportive colleagues. Employees describe the work as meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to engage in innovative and complex projects. The organization is noted for offering flexible schedules and good benefits, including a strong retirement savings plan. While leadership is generally seen as caring and effective, some employees mention that opportunities for advancement can be limited in the non-profit structure, though job security is considered strong.

Boeing

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees who nominate Boeing often express immense pride in the company's legacy of innovation and its significant impact on aerospace and national security. Staff members report that the work is challenging and that the company provides competitive pay and a range of benefits. However, many express concerns regarding leadership quality and a culture that can be slow to adapt. While a majority of the workforce remains committed, they report a desire for greater transparency, accountability from senior leaders, and a better work-life balance.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that Booz Allen Hamilton provides an excellent environment for professional development, supported by strong tuition assistance and a culture that values learning. Employees describe a good work-life balance and a comprehensive benefits package, particularly noting the quality of healthcare options. The firm’s culture is seen as inclusive and mission-focused, though some find that career advancement is heavily dependent on internal networking. While compensation is considered fair, job security can be a concern when projects end.

CACI International

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at CACI International often report a positive experience centered on interesting, mission-focused work that contributes to national security. Staff members describe a supportive and lively office culture with opportunities for growth and a good work-life balance, aided by a flexible time-off policy. The benefits package is generally considered to be strong. However, some employees express concerns about compensation, noting that pay can be inconsistent and may not always align with experience levels or market rates, and leadership effectiveness can vary by project.

Draper

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Draper fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to work on challenging, meaningful projects. The organization is known for its commitment to employee well-being, offering excellent benefits, generous tuition assistance, and a strong retirement plan. Staff members describe a positive work-life balance and a high degree of job security, noting the company’s history of avoiding layoffs. Leadership is seen as supportive of professional growth and dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards.

Fluor Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that Fluor Corporation offers a strong safety-conscious culture and opportunities to work on large-scale, impactful projects globally. Employees often describe their colleagues as professional and knowledgeable, contributing to a collaborative environment. The company is said to provide competitive compensation and a solid benefits package. While job security is linked to project cycles, the company’s global presence offers diverse growth opportunities. Some employees note that work-life balance can be challenging depending on project demands, and leadership effectiveness can vary across different sites.

General Atomics

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at General Atomics report that the company’s private ownership fosters a unique culture focused on long-term innovation and technological excellence without shareholder pressure. Staff describe a collaborative environment where they have the autonomy to work on transformative projects in areas like remotely piloted aircraft and advanced energy. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a pension plan, and supports career development. While some employees feel the work pace can be demanding, many find the mission-driven work and opportunities for creative problem-solving highly satisfying.

General Dynamics

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that General Dynamics provides a stable work environment with a strong sense of mission and community. Employees describe a culture built on honesty and transparency, with leaders who are generally supportive of career growth through internal mobility and development programs. The company offers a competitive benefits package and compensation that is viewed favorably by many. While some find the pace of work can be demanding, most employees are satisfied with their work-life balance and appreciate the job security that comes with long-term defense contracts.

General Electric

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees who nominate General Electric often point to the company’s legacy of innovation and the opportunity to work on challenging, high-impact projects. Staff members report good pay and a solid benefits package, with a culture that emphasizes teamwork and safety. However, some employees express concerns about bureaucracy and frequent changes in leadership, which can create instability and affect long-term planning. While there are opportunities for growth, some feel that work-life balance can be a challenge and that the company culture could be more supportive of its employees.

Honeywell International

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at Honeywell International report that the company offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of health and wellness options, alongside a strong retirement savings plan. Employees describe opportunities to work on diverse and innovative technologies across multiple sectors. However, many express significant concerns about the corporate culture, which they characterize as siloed and overly bureaucratic, with multiple layers of management that can hinder productivity. While some find their roles rewarding, others report low morale and a lack of confidence in senior leadership.

HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries)

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at HII report a strong sense of pride and purpose in their work, contributing directly to the nation's naval defense. Staff members describe a culture that prioritizes safety and offers opportunities for career growth through training and development programs. The company provides competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. While the nature of shipbuilding can be demanding, many employees appreciate the job security and the supportive, team-oriented environment. Leadership is generally viewed as committed to the company's mission and its workforce.

Jacobs Engineering Group

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that Jacobs fosters an inclusive and people-centric culture where collaboration and diverse perspectives are highly valued. Employees describe their leaders as approachable and supportive of career growth, with a clear vision for the company's direction. The organization is said to offer competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a good work-life balance. While some employees note that the large company environment can feel relaxed, most appreciate the autonomy and the opportunity to work on meaningful projects with talented colleagues.

KBR, Inc.

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at KBR report that the company provides excellent benefits, competitive salaries, and opportunities for professional growth in a global environment. Staff members often describe a culture that values innovation and teamwork, with approachable leaders who are open to new ideas. The company offers flexible work arrangements that contribute to a positive work-life balance. However, some employees, particularly those in overseas contracting roles, express concerns about inconsistent management and a disconnect between corporate policies and on-the-ground leadership.

L3Harris Technologies

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that L3Harris Technologies offers engaging work on innovative projects and a culture where teamwork and professionalism are valued. Employees describe having supportive direct managers and access to a decent benefits package. However, many express dissatisfaction with overall compensation, which they feel is not competitive, and a lack of confidence in senior leadership. While the company provides opportunities for professional development, some employees feel that work-life balance can be challenging and that the corporate culture has room for improvement.

Leidos

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Leidos fosters a professional culture with a strong focus on work-life balance and schedule flexibility. Staff members appreciate working with intelligent colleagues on meaningful projects and note that the company offers good benefits, including an effective and affordable medical plan. While leadership is seen as focused on talent retention, some employees feel that compensation is not always competitive and that opportunities for career advancement can be limited. The employee experience often varies significantly depending on the specific government contract and team.

Lockheed Martin

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Lockheed Martin offers a rewarding career path with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology vital to national security. Staff members frequently praise the company's excellent benefits, particularly the strong 401(k) match and flexible work schedules that promote a healthy work-life balance. The culture is described as collaborative, with a focus on performing with excellence. While some employees see a need for more consistent leadership training, most are satisfied with their roles and the stability the company provides.

ManTech International

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at ManTech International report a strong, collaborative culture with a "family feel" that is grounded in a shared sense of mission. Employees describe the work as meaningful and are supported by what they consider outstanding benefits and opportunities for growth, including free college tuition. Leadership is consistently rated as excellent, with a clear vision for the future and a commitment to employee well-being. The company is praised for its integrity, respect for its workforce, and providing a stable, rewarding career environment.

Northrop Grumman

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Northrop Grumman report a sense of pride in working on pioneering solutions that are critical to national security and space exploration. The company is said to offer a strong compensation package, including a pension plan and tuition assistance, along with a culture that values doing the right thing. While staff appreciate the opportunities for professional development, some report that work-life balance can be a challenge and that leadership could be more invested in employee well-being and more innovative R&D projects.

Oshkosh Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Oshkosh Corporation is a company with a "People First" culture that is built on respect and collaboration. Staff members describe a work environment that supports their well-being through comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings plans, and paid time off that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The company is recognized for its commitment to innovation and its global impact, providing employees with a sense of purpose. Leadership is seen as supportive, and there are opportunities for career growth within the organization.

Parsons Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that Parsons Corporation fosters a culture that prioritizes employee well-being, offering excellent work-life balance through flexible schedules like the 9/80 option. The company provides a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Employees describe a supportive environment with robust programs for career development, training, and mentorship. The work is seen as innovative and impactful, and leadership is viewed as committed to both its people and its community engagement initiatives.

Peraton

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Peraton report that the company offers significant opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive benefits package that supports their well-being. The work environment is described as fast-paced and mission-focused, with a culture that values innovation and integrity. However, staff members express mixed feelings about compensation, with some finding it low for the industry, and report that leadership quality and work-life balance can be inconsistent. The employee experience often depends heavily on the specific contract and management team they are assigned to.

RTX Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that RTX Corporation offers a culture of innovation and a commitment to solving complex challenges in aerospace and defense. Staff members describe a comprehensive benefits package that supports health, wellness, and financial security, including a strong retirement savings plan and tuition assistance. The company is seen as providing stable, long-term career opportunities with a focus on professional development. While working in a large corporation presents challenges, many employees are satisfied with their roles and the company's leadership in the industry.

SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation)

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that SAIC offers a flexible and supportive work environment with a strong emphasis on ethics and integrity. Employees often describe a positive culture where they feel empowered to contribute to meaningful projects that support national security. The company is said to provide good benefits and opportunities for career growth and internal mobility. While compensation is generally seen as fair, some employees note that the experience can vary depending on the specific government contract. Leadership is viewed as committed to the company's mission and its people.

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Sierra Nevada Corporation report an exciting and fast-paced work environment focused on innovative aerospace and defense technology. The company is highly praised for its outstanding benefits, particularly its industry-leading 401(k) match and generous time off, which contribute to a good work-life balance. Staff members describe a supportive culture with smart and friendly colleagues. While some note that promotions can be difficult to obtain and leadership can be inconsistent across programs, the overall compensation and mission-driven work are sources of high satisfaction.

Textron

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees report that Textron provides opportunities for a diverse and growing career experience, supported by benefits like tuition reimbursement. The company's portfolio of powerful brands in defense and aviation offers staff a sense of pride and stability. However, some employees express significant concerns regarding a culture that they feel lacks collaboration and equity, with compensation that has not kept pace with inflation. Perceptions of leadership and HR support are mixed, and many feel that work-life balance and the overall work environment could be improved.

The Aerospace Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that The Aerospace Corporation fosters a highly collaborative and innovative culture, bringing together some of the nation's top technical experts to solve complex space-related challenges. Employees describe the organization as having a supportive and respectful environment with a strong work-life balance, excellent benefits, and generous retirement contributions. Leadership is viewed as accessible and committed to employee growth and well-being. The not-for-profit status is seen as enabling a focus on mission success and objective technical guidance, leading to high job satisfaction.

The MITRE Corporation

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:Employees at The MITRE Corporation report a mission-driven, collaborative culture focused on solving problems for a safer world. As a not-for-profit organization, staff members feel empowered to provide objective, innovative solutions without commercial pressures. The company is highly regarded for its world-class benefits, including exceptional retirement programs, tuition reimbursement, and paid time for civic engagement. Leadership is seen as supportive of professional growth, and the work environment is described as intellectually stimulating, promoting a healthy work-life balance and strong job security.