Applied Research Associates Employee Job Reviews in the United States

"ARA was a great place to work."

"The bosses are tough but a good set of guys to work for. They balance each other to make sure the company is working the way it should."

"Great Smart people to work for and with"

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"Great Smart people to work for. They try to hire the best personnel they can."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"be sure the contract is well laid out with your job clearly specified."

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"Too Dependent on DOD contracts so if there is a budget crisis the company suffers"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Diversify the company to get a better mix of government and non government contracts"

"A lot of work freedom, but pays poorly."

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"It's fairly lax and no one really bugs you a whole lot about getting your work done. It is, however, expected that you manage yourself and show responsibility to get your work done on time without having to be told so or monitored."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Their interviews are more about you as a person and their judging of your character and abilities to manage yourself and learn new skills and technologies rapidly without hand holding. They look for people that are clearly above the average and if you can't show them that, then they will not hire you. When they offer you a salary in their offer, if it seems low then"

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"When it comes to salary I would almost classify them as abusive, but the real reason is they just want to pay everyone as little as possible to keep them and avoid raises until you threaten to leave. First (partial) year working here I got my largest raise and bonus. It's been steadily worse since then. $2,100 raise first year, $1,100 the second, and $800 this last year while being told to expect less next year."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Listen to your employees when they give you reasonable suggestions in their field of expertise and stop being greedy by paying your employees poorly just so you can boast a large profit for your group. There's a reason all the new people for the last 4 years have all quit after two or less years."

"Great company to work for."

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"I worked Monday through Friday and got awesome benefits and great pay."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be as professional as possible, try to have a general understanding of what your position is and what the responsibilites are."

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"The only thing I did not like was if I needed help it was tough to get becauseother people had other projects of their own or they were gone on travel"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I have to suggestions for the management other than maybe check in on the employees more often,"

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"They have great benefits and bonuses. Good with raises each year."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"No. I would treat all jobs with the same amount of attention."

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"Lack of work. Downsizing of governemnt contracts through out AFRL."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Be proactive in finding new contracts with an eye on the future stability of company."

"Overall it is good, but company has not given a clear direction over past year."

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"Flexible hours and some freedom to explore new approaches regarding unmanned vehicle development."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be prepared to do jobs totally unrelated to your profession. Even though I am a proponent of learning new skills outside of your current skillset, my current employer had me perform ME and EE work the first few months when I do not have any expereince in these fields. My field is computer science."

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"The constant changing of upper management (three division manager since I started May 2010) each having their own vision of what research we should be conducting. Unfortunately each manager's vision contradicts the previous manager's vision. Bottom line, there has not been a clear goal for our group over the past year."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Define a clear goal for your employees and show some condidence in their abilities. Upper management has shown some weakness over the past year."

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"People I work with are nice, I receive good pay, benefits, and independence in my projects."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be prepared to have your skill set stagnate, as there are few opportunities to increase your skill set."

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"Limited in what I can do, would like to push my career set forward, but held back by the company."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Invest more into research and new technologies to grow the company. Allow the smart people they hired to push the company forward."

"ARA was and is struggling."

"Overall a positive, good experience."

"I hope you like hotel rooms"

What do you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"Friendly, casual setting"

What don't you like about working at Applied Research Associates?

"too much travel"