Medium-sized companies, 9th

Science Systems and Applications Inc. is a leader in solving scientific, engineering and information technology challenges for customers who explore frontiers both on Earth and in space.

The company’s long-standing customers include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its activities include contributions to earth and space missions and global climate initiatives. Other contracting partners are the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Agency for International Development, and other federal agencies.

This independent technology group, with offices in the Hamptons, is based in Maryland and has a strong reputation for its employee values ​​and commitment to community service. Recognized as a Best Place to Work by Inside Business since 2010.

A recent anonymous employee review measured several aspects of employee satisfaction, including salary and benefits, growth potential, and community involvement, to give companies a 4.3 out of 5 star rating. gave to

David McBride, corporate program manager for STARSS (Science, Technology And Research Support Services) at NASA Langley Research Center, said: “You have always been very tolerant, with many events taking place and many interactions from the lowest to the highest.”

The STARSS contract includes work on “planetary climate modeling and some satellite-collected data,” said Praveen Behethi, the company’s president and CEO. “We help manage and maintain some of the satellite collection data. We are also working on remote he sensors on the aircraft to help track hurricane data.”

The integration of technology and employee satisfaction was what Praveen’s parents, Om and Sarah Bakheti had in mind when they founded SSAI in 1977. Since then, the organization, which now employs about 1,000 people, has not strayed from its ambitions.

The creation of SSAI University in March 2020 empowers employees to shape and develop career opportunities, including rapid learning paths for in-demand skills. It was born from the thoughts of employees who wished for the growth of the company.

“So we wanted to provide a way,” said Praveen Behethi. “Finally, we can see if they have mastered the task and measure it. …We want to equip them with the skills to make good decisions. “

SSAI has a long history of providing scholarships, internships and cooperative opportunities to high school and college students, including the children of its employees, Behethi said. Interns provide meaningful work supporting projects throughout the company, introducing them to the scientific environment, and teaching them how to write technical papers.

The company also offers scholarships to high school seniors to help them develop and complete their best projects, he said. We provided a business plan to do it every year.

Diversity is facilitated through SSAI, in-house, and scholarships to the National Association of Black Engineers to support our pipeline of engineering jobs.

Behethi said most SSAI employees work on a hybrid schedule that leaves them in the office less than two days a week. Creative efforts have been made to keep the team concept alive during the coronavirus shutdown.

“Several virtual events were launched to keep the team concept alive,” says McBride. “It included virtual cooking classes, talent shows, trivia nights and wine tastings. We always had a culture of getting together at least once a month.”

According to the company website, SSAI encourages community service and volunteer projects for employees and management. Volunteer projects include Adopt-a-Road, school supply and food/clothing support, school feeding programs, and donations to local Salvation Army and food banks.

“They are always looking for new ways to show that they appreciate their staff and employees,” says McBride. “They go to awards ceremonies, acknowledge what others are doing, and add it to the package if they like it.”

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address: 1 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 200, Hampton

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Hampton Roads Area Business News

phone: 757-951-1600

Website: ssaihq.com

Executives: Praveen Behethi, President. Rachit Mahajan, Chief Financial Officer.Jonathan Kelly, Chief Operating Officer

employee: 230 from Hampton Roads. 977 in the US

Benefits include: Medical, dental and eye insurance from day one, 401(k) plans and profit sharing, domestic partnership benefits, legal and identity theft protection, pet insurance, educational assistance, scholarship programs, generous bonuses

Fun elements: This year, due to COVID, virtual events such as cooking classes, talent shows, trivia nights and wine tastings were scheduled. Another virtual event is the annual “Pi Day” cook-off. Instead of baking pies live, participants posted pictures of their dishes and everyone voted.

Community Service: Scholarships, educational efforts, Salvation Army and Langley Elementary Food Bank efforts, Toys for Tots toy collections, and numerous charities