Silicon Valley is flashy, but check out Dayton if you want to make an impact in a place with the quality of life you can find only in the Midwest.
Located near several major cities, Dayton, Ohio, is a short drive to Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis—with 20 metro parks and more than 30 miles of biking trails, Dayton has the entrepreneurial spirit of a major city with the benefits of small-town living.
Add the purposeful work we do at Booz Allen, and the Dayton area gives traditional tech hot spots serious competition. Our local team shares what they enjoy most about living and working there.
1. There’s a variety of meaningful work.
The Dayton office handles modeling and simulation related to radar/signal processing, cyber, data science, cloud services, software development, and other specialties, and the nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a source of continued funding and opportunity for mission-driven projects. There’s no “grinding your gears” here—your work is challenging and fulfilling.
Take Principal Michael Bennett. 30 years ago, he was an intern in the Dayton office, supporting a team of 20. Today, that number has increased to over 465 and is growing strong. What keeps him here? “The interesting work,” he says. “We hire smart people with fresh ideas. They won’t stick around unless you give them challenges.”
Challenges like those Senior Lead Engineer Jim Herner’s team takes on: creating software products for testing the next generation of electronic warfare algorithms for the Air Force Research Lab. “We help our clients by ensuring the products they use are relevant to the warfighter,” he says.
Lead Engineer Zach Williams explains, “Here, it’s not about maintaining the status quo. We’re pushing the performance envelope with current materials available to the engineer—and developing new methods and materials.”
2. There are continued growth opportunities—you’re never stagnant.
Booz Allen offers a wealth of professional development opportunities. There’s no shortage of learning available, from tuition reimbursement to in-house technical training and upskilling courses.
Engineer Brooke Gardner earned her master’s degree through the firm’s tuition assistance program. “I was able to get my degree at my own pace without having to put my home life or career on hold,” says Brooke. She also used the program to obtain her Associate Certified Analytics Professional Certification and the boot camp to study for the certification. “I love working for a company that encourages and supports my career advancement,” she adds.
3. There’s a sense of community—inside and outside the office.
The Dayton office is known for its welcoming culture and sense of camaraderie. “Our office is teeming with wonderful individuals who care for one another, are excellent to seek wise counsel from, and are fun to work with,” says Zachary. “I’m passionate about the work I do—and I’m passionate about the people here,” he adds.
Jim agrees. “Dayton is home,” he says. “It has a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship that can be felt each time you visit a new business or encounter a new person.”
