Complete dissillusionment in disguise - Software Engineer II Northrop Grumman Employee Review

2.0
21 Apr 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

One of the well-known organisations in the defence sector in the western world. Each sector of the corporation operates with many projects that offer plentiful development opportunity for those that stay long enough and endure the hardship of living with minuscule pay in high-cost areas. A lot of development resources are available to anyone with the equipments and time to access them.

Cons

Each sector of the corporation operates independently with seemingly zero synergy. The legacy Information System sector was the cheapest sector of the corporation that offered woeful compensation package. IS was the only sector that stopped pension and other retirement programme to supplement 401K. Therefore any legacy IS employees in the current corporate structure will have to make do with working with colleagues that collect much more handsome salaries and retirement package. Transfer between projects is a simple change of job locations and description because salary raise is never a possibility. Work-life balance is non-existent for ground-level employees. Managers cannot be bothered to say 'thank you' when one works through the night to deliver something to make deadline and overtime work is never paid. Anyone foolish enough to demonstrate loyalty and dedication is rewarded with an universally given 3 for average for annual performance rating. As with annual salary raises, anything above 2.5% should be considered a gift from God. There is hope however because favouritism is rampant. Anyone lucky enough to secure a senior manager's affection or has connection with high-level leadership can walk the easy paths paved with rose petals. The company spends a lot of money on employee development but only if employee has a company computer to access the resources. For everyone else that uses only project computers hopes and dreams is the only available option. For anyone that hopes to join because Northrop Grumman was the maker of the F-14 Tomcat and the B-2 Spirit, look elsewhere. Those glory days are long gone and never again.

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5.0
29 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible work arrangement, 9/80 schedule, job security

Cons

Low pay, full time on site required for career growth

4.0
11 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great work life balance Amazing work culture - some of my favorite peers have been Northrop Employees Benefits are really nice Work can be really exciting at times, giving me the opportunity to take ownership over complicated projects and tasking

Cons

Red tape makes speed tough at times. There can be really slow periods for far too long The promotion system is truly terrible. There are no incentives to stay or go above and beyond. They are unreasonably firm on time-in-seat, way too slow to act (they take months), and low ball you on promotional offers. So you could be a high performer for years, but the new-hire with no experience with the company will likely make thousands more than you do. It's backwards, and it's really the only reason I left.

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