Some roles less good than others - Software Engineer Ad Hoc (DC) Employee Review

2.0
1 Jul 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Depending on the project, ability to make a very positive impact. Many, many kind and caring colleagues. Lots of people join this company because they want to improve government digital services. Great opportunity to work with people from different parts of the country. Most states are represented here! Wide range of backgrounds in terms of education, industry, and experience. Most roles able to work remotely and across US timezones, and that has always been the policy.

Cons

Run as a services vendor vs. a product company. If the customer is happy, management usually doesn't care whether a product was actually delivered. Historically, lots of dismissal of HR-type issues by engineering managers, who don't tend to take issues around inclusion seriously. "Problem" employees can work here for years, and engineering management usually dismisses it as "not that big a deal." Also entirely normal for engineering managers to cancel 1:1s for months at a time because they are working on bizdev. Quality of existing project commitments (and of career growth) often suffers due to the company chasing down new contracts. Very good odds you will end up working with someone from a subcontractor or prime contractor who does not take basic professionalism (or human decency) seriously. Lots of HR-type problems from "coworkers" who actually work for other companies, which means you have no recourse if they say or do something inappropriate. Very variable experiences across projects, though. Entirely possible you'll land on a good one and have a decent experience! Also possible you will dread logging in for work everyday. Also: while it seems to have gotten better as the company has grown, have heard about $50k differences in salary for some people performing the same role, not attributable to experience, business impact, or even geographical location.

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Ad Hoc (DC) Response
5y
Thank you for this feedback- this information is crucial for our People Operations teams to hear. As outlined in our Handbook, and as outlined on The Hub, there are multiple ways to share your concerns, beyond escalating to your leadership: 1. You can complete an Employee Concern Form (see the Hub for our internal link) 2. Email hr@adhocteam.us 3. Or contact People Operations leadership directly; Toshika Edwards, HR Manager People Operations will keep concerns confidential to the extent possible for a full and thorough investigation. You are protected from retaliation per our zero tolerance policy. If you have escalated your concern to your managers, and you are not seeing action, please avail yourself of these other methods so that Ad Hoc can help support the issues you're seeing- even if the challenge is with a partner company. Pay Equity, Manager Training, and partner selection criteria are all areas in which we've made significant investments this year, as we work to ensure our infrastructure scales to support the exponential growth we've experienced in the last few years. We hope you'll see continued improvement in these areas as we deliver on our plans. We share your feeling that our team is full of kind, caring, mission-driven professionals and we are committed to providing a safe and productive environment for everyone. Please reach out to People Operations at your nearest convenience regarding your other concerns so we can review and take appropriate action immediately. Thank you, Priscilla McMahon VP, People Operations

Explore other reviews about Ad Hoc (DC)

5.0
30 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Friendly staff and great work life balance. Remote work, so great for people who live in cold climates.

Cons

Nothing to say, other than alot of computer time.

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Ad Hoc (DC) Response
4mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts; we’re so glad you’re enjoying your role at Ad Hoc. We care deeply about creating a supportive, flexible environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining balance in their personal lives. And we appreciate the reminder that remote work can mean a lot of screen time. It’s something we’re mindful of as we think about team members’ wellness, connection, and how we support each other day to day. Thanks again for your kind words and for being a part of the team.
4.0
22 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Ad Hoc provided me with opportunities to grow my career while working on projects that have a real impact on people’s lives. During my time here, I was promoted from Software Engineer III to Senior Software Engineer and received salary increases that reflected my contributions and growth. The mission driven work is genuinely rewarding. Supporting digital services for the Department of Veterans Affairs gave me the opportunity to help improve experiences for Veterans while working with modern technologies and strong accessibility standards. The company has a mature remote first culture, supportive teammates, and generally gives engineers autonomy to solve problems. I found leadership approachable and appreciated the emphasis on collaboration, inclusion, and delivering value to users.

Cons

Like many companies focused on federal contracting, job security can be heavily influenced by contract awards, renewals, and government funding decisions. Even high performing employees may face uncertainty when contracts end and follow on work has not yet been secured. Career growth opportunities can also be tied to available contracts and client needs, which may not always align with an employee’s desired career path.

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Ad Hoc (DC) Response
1w
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re grateful to hear that you’ve found growth opportunities, enjoy working alongside your teammates, and connect with our mission. We recognize that government contracting can bring periods of change. We remain committed to supporting our teams through those transitions while continuing to communicate transparently and invest in internal opportunities and long-term growth. Thank you for your feedback and for being a part of the team. If you have additional thoughts you’d like to share, we welcome you to reach out at hr@adhocteam.us.
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