Today we look at five contractors involved in the U.S. Defense Industry – Aecom, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bechtel, BAE Systems, and Leidos – to see how they were rated by their employees in terms of company culture. Comparably’s user-submitted ratings and reviews can paint a virtual picture for us of the story behind-the-scenes at all five of these companies, at least from the perspective of employees who depend on these businesses for their livelihoods. (Note: Several major defense contractors were left off the list because they were already featured via Comparably’s similar coverage of the aerospace industry.)
OVERALL CULTURE
The first little gold trophy goes to Bechtel – the only privately held company among the five – in the Culture category. Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos both came in just behind Bechtel with solid B scores. In fourth place is BAE Systems, and in last is Aecom.
Aecom: “I would encourage open candid discussions and make sure everyone is engaged in their career. Focus on the people and not the revenue. Happy, engaged people are more productive.”
BAE Systems: “The constant backstabbing is awful in this company. Almost no integrity at all.”
Bechtel: “The ambience is good and very encouraging of the team to try new things to reach the goal.”
Booz Allen Hamilton: “It is pretty laid back. EVP’s often wear jeans and you can just drop in and catch up or run an idea by them. If you have an idea you can pitch it and find other to help you develop it. If your client project is ending they now bend over backwards to help you find new work and develop your skills.”
Leidos: “We’re a moderately self managed team with a hands off approach from our management team for the most part.”
CEO & LEADERSHIP
Booz Allen Hamilton’s CEO Horacio Rozanski takes the win, beating out runners-up Brandon Bechtel and Roger Krone (of Leidos.) BAE’s Charles Woodburn and Aecom’s Michael Burke bring up the rear.
Aecom: “An accountant as CEO of an engineering company results in everything coming down to the bottom line. There’s no regard for how engineering work is done. If everyone is billable, good. That’s how it feels.”
BAE Systems: “Get rid of the current executives and bring in fresh faces and ideas.”
Bechtel: “We are in good hands.”
Booz Allen Hamilton: “Generally well respected. This has been driven by increased engagement/communication with staff at all levels on how the business is doing and the path forward.”
Leidos: “I believe that my leadership team looks out for their employees.”
COMPENSATION
Bechtel blows away the other four companies in the Compensation category with an outstanding A+ grade from its employees. Booz Allen Hamilton’s C+ score is the best any of the other four could muster, with Leidos and BAE both tying for fourth with low C- ratings, and Aecom’s landing in last with a miserable D score.
Aecom: “There are many other companies paying more for similar services.”
BAE Systems: “They don’t pay you what you a worth. Getting a raise is impossible unless you’re an executive.”
Bechtel: “Very good combined with bonus and contributions to 401K.”
Booz Allen Hamilton: “The company is mainly focused on the bottom line and profits, therefore leaving the employee to suffer. Our salaries are well below average!”
Leidos: “In comparison to other jobs in the area that I live in, I believe that I get paid above the average pay for the job that I do.”
PERKS & BENEFITS
Bechtel also takes the Perks & Benefits prize, again dominating a rather weak field. Booz Allen Hamilton’s B score isn’t bad, but Leidos, Aecom, and BAE Systems are not currently satisfying their employees with their benefits offerings.
Aecom: “Horrible health benefits. More expense, less coverage than my last employer. They told me my target bonus was achievable, total lie.”
BAE Systems: “Great matching on your 401k and discounts on travel and other things.”
Bechtel: “I receive overtime pay or comp time (my choice) as a salaried employee.”
Booz Allen Hamilton: “Good medical, great dental, life insurance 3x salary, Parental leave, PTO that accrues monthly and free water and coffee. Seriously, they are pretty good.”
Leidos: “I would like to see Improved health benefits.”
DIVERSITY
New category, same story: Bechtel rates off the charts for Diversity, Booz Allen Hamilton delivers an almost good enough score, and BAE, Leidos, and Aecom and display scores implying employee dissatisfaction.
Aecom: “Most diversity is there to make the quotas look better, not many will get promoted.”
BAE Systems:“There is a diversity team, and they do well to lay it out for everyone. There is a mix of races, genders, sexual taste, and so on. There doesn’t seem to be a problem and it’s not something that gets brought up a lot as an issue.”
Booz Allen Hamilton: “The diversity of my team makes me happy.”
Leidos: “We have coworkers with very diverse backgrounds.”
OUTLOOK
Aecom: “The company does not have a unified ethos for employees to grasp on to. It is all about profit and shareholder satisfaction while doing work that is meant to help the greater good.”
BAE Systems: “Forward thinking. They seem to have great thoughts for preparing the company for the next great idea.”
Bechtel: “I am working for the top company in the world. This gives me immense joy to work even better.”
Booz Allen Hamilton: “Federal and Defense continue to be b. Health and to a degree commercial have dropped due to market changes. This is cyclical and will rebound.”
Leidos: “Leidos has received a new giant contract with SSA. However, they received a smaller portion. And unless there is a major cleaning house of middle-management, I am unsure Leidos will even reach the end of the 10 year contract.”
Leidos wakes up and decides to win one little gold trophy before the fat lady sings, but it’s not enough to change what we already know: Bechtel wins today. It’s clear that Bechtel is the company of the five that puts the more effort into retaining employees and keeping them satisfied. Booz Allen Hamilton is our clear runner-up.
