| Hughes Electronics Corp. |
200 N. Sepulveda Blvd.,
El Segundo,
CA
90245-0956 |
|
www.hughes.com
|
(310) 364-6000
Fax: (310) 568-6390
|
 |
|
One of Reagan's biggest fans
Hughes was founded in 1932 in order to construct experimental planes for Howard Hughes, an airspeed world-record holder. The company he founded has a few records of its own: it produced the first laser beam in 1960 and installed the first communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit three years later. Hughes was plagued by canceled defense contracts during the early 1980s, but revenues have soared since it was acquired by General Motors in 1985. The third-largest defense contractor in the U.S., the company also has the largest non-governmental fleet of communications satellites in orbit. Hughes Electronics is the world's largest supplier of satellite-based private business networks, and is among the top providers of wireless telephone networks and cellular mobile systems.
Satellites R' Us
Today, Hughes Electronics is a world leader in the design, production, and marketing of advanced electronic systems including satellite technology, its bread and butter. Hughes is the world's largest communications satellite maker having made nearly 40 percent of the commercial satellites currently in orbit. The company owns 81 percent of PanAmSat, a 19-satellite global communications network, and expects great things from DIRECTV, which already transmits over 210 channels and digital video to 7.4 million U.S. subscribers.
Hughes' loss, China's gain?
Hughes has seen its fair share of controversy though. Its technical assistance to the Chinese following a failed rocket launch in 1996 has prompted Congress to investigate whether the Clinton Administration allowed Hughes to inadvertently help China's missile program, thus compromising national security. In 1998, a glitch in the PanAmSat network also knocked out pager service in the U.S for hours. However, analysts expect Hughes to perform well into the next century on the strength of its satellite services.
|
|
With more than 400 domestic and international openings, the career opportunities at Hughes are vast. The company conducts extensive college recruiting around the country, but applicants can also consult hughes.com/jobsnav.html for employment information at Hughes's five divisions and subsidiaries.
Longtime employees contend that Hughes Electronics was more "technically oriented" before being acquired by General Motors. "Now the bottom line is the only concern," they say. However, employees appreciate flexible scheduling policies, the generous pay, the casual dress code, and the diversity of the workforce, including the management. They also praise their "talented and professional" colleagues. Hughes emphasizes "team" concepts and group-oriented problem solving, "which makes employee camaraderie and interaction crucial" to its success.
Human Resources
Aerospace & defense systems; Communications systems; Automotive electronics; Broadcasting; Satellites; Telecommunications networks & services; VSAT's; Direct to home satellite recievers
Boeing;INTELSAT;Loral Space;PRIMESTAR;Lockheed Martin;TRW
More Company Profiles
For more career information, go to Vault.com
©2000, Vault.com Inc
|
|
