Smart People, But Outdated Culture and Structure - Lead Software Engineer MITRE Employee Review

2.0
Apr 7, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work-life balance — probably the best thing about working here. Smart and talented colleagues. Stable work environment (for some). Opportunities to work on important national projects. New CEO (Mark) shows potential to improve things.

Cons

Outdated tech stack and slow processes, especially due to government partnerships. Culture feels old — many senior employees have been around for 20+ years and block growth for younger talent. Recently laid off 600+ employees (April 3, 2025), mostly junior to mid-level (L2–L4) who actually got the work done. Senior staff (L5+) tend to hold onto funding and positions regardless of performance. Too many unnecessary managers, VPs, and C-levels — creates a bloated, bureaucratic structure. Previous CEO (Jason) was a poor leader; hoping the new CEO brings meaningful change.

Explore other reviews about MITRE

5.0
Mar 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good company, very supportive enviroment

Cons

None, I enjoyed my internship very much!

3.0
Jan 23, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great diversity, quality of life and staff. Been with MITRE over 20 years.

Cons

Too many VP,s that are not held accountable. Company recently RIF'd 24 staff from FAA FFRDC, due to dropping gov't funding...yet company has significant number of VPs all sucking off of overhead. No attempt to manage money within the "leadership" ranks. Last year company went through a major business transformation...that failed...yet, VPs held staff accountable for reporting on a subpar system that lasted over 12 months. Could not even get business data to report to gov't for over 2 months, yet, person who was in charge of the business transformation is still at MITRE. If this happened to any other MITRE employee, they would've been gone. Oddly enough the person in charge of the business transformation is the CEOs brother. Amazing how that happens. He'll probably get a bonus because of his substandard performance. MITRE recently invested in opening up an office in Australia. All on company overhead. significant large numbers of VPs travelling out to "visit"...yet company has the audacity to reduce benefits as part of cost cutting measures. Company has now taken on a "for profit" mentality. It's all about delivery... so VPS and GMs can spend, spend, spend. Board of Directors should take a good look at what is happening and make some swift changes from the CEO on down. BOD should also implement an independent IG like entity to investigate what is seeming like waste, fraud and abuse by CEO, GMs and VPs. Time for the Fat Cats to get purged!!!

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