engineer

technical recruiter

systems administrator

support technician

operations associate

SMS Data Products Group, Inc

Companies tell you all the time that they treat their employees like family. More often than not, you can just assume it's all just a line, and hope that at least the pay is good. SMS is a company that delivers competitive pay and a truly refreshing workplace culture. When faced with a personal situation that had me thinking I might have to end up leaving the company to relocate, the managers were incredulous.

"I'm offended you thought we wouldn't try to help you out and find a way to help your situation!"...I swear they said this.

They were true to their word. I am still an SMS employee, even though I did end up having to relocate.

The company does it's best to have regular group gatherings to bring everyone together during the year. It isn't easy, as the company is expanding rather quickly, but they do manage.

They also offer great seats and parking to the Washington Nationals games.

I warn my friends when they want to apply to work here. Be careful. You will get spoiled by the work atmosphere. It might ruin working anywhere else for you.

I really loved SMS, I only left because the contract was ending. They offered other work, but I wanted to keep my location. It speaks volumes to me about how much they value their employees that they would have kept me on and found other work for me rather than let me go because the contract was ending. The people were great, I made actual friends there and enjoyed my time there. I wanted to further my education with new certs and classes in areas outside my expertise and management worked with me to find and pay for education that would be mutually beneficial, which was awesome. Overall a great company! 

The company recently won the CONES contract, and have attempted to hire level 1 administrators, requiring them to have level III certifications or to acquire them in a short period of time.  They have downsized the position requirements to save money.  Stressful organizational practices, with poor leadership, and lack of care for workers.  Provides less than normal holiday time off for a DoD contract, and allows no provisions to purchased advanced vacation.  Benefit package is average at best, with vesting for matching of 401K contributions after 6 months.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Salary was good. Technical support services was also helpful with computer issues. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
HR hired incompetent supervisors with questionable mental capacities. HR does not support employees who are ill treated by these subpar, nasty supervisors. There is a real disconnect in this company!

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Average - the only perk or nice thing that I received were tickets to a baseball game. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Hectic and stressful- supervisor constantly cut me down verbally and my complaints to HR fell in deaf ears.

SMS spans across the entire country and even partially internationally, meaning wherever you are located, you can probably find employment with them. Headquarters staff is nothing but understanding and supportive, we have fun and are creative and diverse in our own ways. The pay is above what my expectations would be, especially for entry level careers. Training is plentiful and useful, and there is always room for growth. Yearly reviews allow for discussion of advancement in position and pay, and everyone operates like a family.  Plus, sometimes we have company events/parties!

Good people.

The cultural myth within the company is that they retain good people.

It''s true that many of the old timers have been with the company for 10, 15, 20, 25 years.  

However, as a defense contractor, they staff (ramp-up) and layoff (ramp-down) with the normal cycles of defense business acquisition.

So, don't be surprised when they show you the door when the contract you are on ends.

They just don't keep talent on any kind of bench.

Although normal for this industry, it still, nonetheless, contradicts the myth that if you work hard and smart, you too can achieve the coveted 10 year award Rolex (or equivalent) wrist watch.

SMS has benefits other companies I've worked for don't have, cell phone expense, fantastic education/cert reimbursement.   They have been very receptive upon taking over our contract to listen to what existing problems are and to remedy them (management reorg, hiring new qualified people). They are receptive to thinking outside the box and are the most employee oriented company I've ever worked for.   Despite vexing and ridiculous customer requirements they still try to prioritize the employees.  Great company that really works with you!

a typical day started with talking over coffee about the days events and our personal lives. From there we would receive and ship orders as needed by the technicians out in the field. In our "downtime" we would joke around and socialize. I learned a lot about shipping and receiving parts for a job site as well as how to effectively manage time to ensure that all orders went out on time. Hardest part of the job was lifting heavy objects in the warehouse with no A/C. Most enjoyable part of the job was the people I worked with and the friendly, joking atmosphere we created, especially from my boss.

I have no real complaints, management has been open and supportive since Day One.  My very first day it was explained that there's security in the work, but it's also a great launching pad. The job I have isn't particularly challenging, and working a government contract certainly exposes you to a lot of cliché government workers (underqualified, lazy, etc.), but you also have the opportunity to meet a ton of of people that are open to mentoring and helping you advance.

What is the best part of working at the company?
They are family, they don’t cut you the day after a project ends like the big guys do. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Projects are stressful like everywhere else, but challenging. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
You don’t work at the company headquarters as an engineer so I didn’t get engaged a lot, but the culture is good, very inclusive, support staff keep us engaged.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I worked on-site projects as a sub.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Engineer 5 salaries reported	$104,800 per year
Technical recruiter 1 salary reported	$65,000 per year
Systems administrator 3 salaries reported	$86,667 per year
Support technician 1 salary reported	$50,000 per year
Operations associate 1 salary reported	$62,500 per year

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