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LOGICON, INC., OPERATING SYSTEMS
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"Of almost 200 data processing professionals in Operating Systems, nearly half are Assembly language programmers."
— Logicon representative
• IBM mainframes, DEC VAX • Assembler, C, UNIX •
• Systems engineering • Large shop •
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LOGICON is a systems engineering and professional services firm. Operating Systems, one of four operating units in LOGICON, specializes in the design, development, and integration of real-time message-handling software for various agencies within the Department of Defense.
LOGICON has approximately 2,500 employees and revenues of more than $200 million. The company has almost 300 employees in the Washington, D.C. area. Founded in 1961, the company is based in Torrance, California.
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Technology
The technical staff typically uses clients' computers, which are accessed from terminals located in LOGICON's offices. IBM mainframes and DEC/VAX are used most often. Sun workstations and a variety of MS-DOS-based personal computers are used for in-house work or for access to the client's computers.
Although the primary programming language used is IBM Assembler, a significant amount of work is done in C, under UNIX, as well as Ada, PASCAL, and PL/I.
The most common classifications for job titles include Member of the Technical Staff and Computer Scientist, levels 1 through 3. Ninety percent of the work in Operating Systems is new development.
The company has developed a comprehensive electronic office environment using artificial intelligence techniques to disseminate messages. The integrated environment also supports electronic mail, textual database management, and intelligent workstations. The system was developed in IBM Assembler, using IBM mainframes.
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Culture
LOGICON's Arlington, Virginia, facility houses its Operating Systems, Strategic and Information Systems, Tactical, and Training Systems units as well as a subsidiary firm, R&D Associates. Virtually all computer professionals have private offices; most have terminals connected to a client's computer.
Employees travel locally to a client's site, but out-of-town travel is rare. The occasional need for overtime may be compensated with compensatory time. LOGICON offers state-of-the-art, challenging work and high-caliber workers.
LOGICON observes 10 holidays. They offer from 13 to 20 days of vacation a year, depending on length of employment. The company pays for medical insurance or contributes toward participation in an HMO plan. They also pay for long-term disability, a dental plan, and life insurance (two and a half times the annual salary). The company offers tuition reimbursement and 401(k) retirement, profit sharing, and stock-purchase plans.
Layoffs have been infrequent and affected only a few employees.
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Candidates
LOGICON looks for computer professionals who can refine user requirements, develop system and software specifications, code, develop a test plan, and develop interface control documents. Good writing skills are important.
Approximately 90 percent of the company's computer professionals have Bachelor's or Master's degrees, typically in Math or Computer Science. LOGICON has also had success with technically experienced individuals who have a background in music, philosophy, or linguistics. Candidates without college degrees but with substantial relevant technical experience and superior communication skills are considered as well. All positions require U.S. citizenship for at least the past 5 years. Applicants must be able to pass a rigorous background investigation.
LOGICON rarely hires entry-level people. The average computer professional has 10 years of experience. LOGICON typically hires up to 50 computer professionals a year. New employees are found through employee referrals (40 percent), job fairs (30 percent), advertisements (20 percent), and employment agencies (10 percent).
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Contact
Staffing and Recruitment
(703) 486-3500
LOGICON, Inc., Operating Systems Division
2100 Washington Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22204-5703
Copyright 1993. Vandamere Press. Covin’s Washington Area Computer Job Guide
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