Nava

Pros: I really liked the mission here, working on important government tech projects. The people are smart, and there's a good emphasis on learning and modern digital services. Plus, the remote work setup is really flexible, which is a huge plus.
Cons: The biggest downside is job security, especially as a Software Engineer. It's all contract-based, so when a project ends, there's always a scramble for the next one. This makes planning your career a bit tough in this mid-size startup.
Advice to Management: Try to create more stability between digital services contracts. It'd help a lot with retention if people felt more secure about their roles after a project wraps up, especially for core engineering roles.

Pros: As a Software Engineer, the health benefits are actually pretty solid for a government contractor. They have a decent 401k match and unlimited PTO is nice, even if you don't always take it.
Cons: The base salary isn't top-tier, especially compared to big tech companies. It's tough when you're working on complex public sector projects but the compensation doesn't quite reflect that. Remote work pay bands can be a bit strict, too.
Advice to Management: Look at market rates for technical roles, especially for those working remotely. It's important to stay competitive if you want to attract and retain top talent.