Pros
You will work with some excellent people on interesting and important products. Some of the biggest and best names in aerospace are our customers, and the market demand will never go away. Our products are well regarded in the industry.
This is a very friendly and informal environment, even when the crises are piled up. You can talk to just about anyone about just about anything.
Ampex has a long legacy of great products that carries thru to procedures and capabilities that younger companies of a similar size lack.
Cons
It is always a crisis. The deadlines imposed by sales guarantee that the product will either be late or not finished when delivered. This as led to a culture of chronic shortcuts which make a mockery of the official quality policy.
Sales are highly dependent on military procurement, which is uncertain and has long cycles. The current management has not grasped that even after six years.
Ampex's legacy as a large Silicon Valley manufacturer has stuck the company with a large pension debt that prevents proper investment in ongoing operations. Promotions, raises, and training are non-existent. Even retention of necessary personal is neglected.