Prós
- Good exposure for an entry level employee to large company dynamics. - Reputable "Brand Name", as an engineer, having LM on your resume will be a good look anywhere you go. - Most programs will get you a Security Clearance, making you more competitive for Defense/Government Contracting jobs when you decide to change companies. - Great Work/Life Balance. Most of the time a 40 hour work week will be sufficient, occasionally may have to work longer hours or weekends a few times a year to meet deadlines. - LM has a good/strict implementation of SAFe Agile practices on Software gigs - Culture is generally friendly and easy going
Contras
- Compensation and Benefits less impressive than other companies in related fields, especially if you are in Software Engineering. - Annual raises average 1.5% a year - Level to Level advancement is slow and seems inconsistent. The "HR Minimum" for a Level II is 2 years of experience. When you meet the minimum, you must ask your manager to be considered for a level advancement (comes with substantial increase in pay) and they may push it through. I feel if you have gotten a good performance review for each year, you should be moved up a level, but that is rarely the case. Promotions seem to be subjective and quite frankly looked like there was some favoritism involved. My advice is to just become friends with the Managers and you will go far. - Programs can very from being extremely boring to extremely exciting and cutting edge, you just have to find the "happening" business areas. Aerospace and Space Systems is probably where you want to be. - Facilities are dull and dated- cinderblock construction, windowless rooms, hospital-type lighting.