Vantaggi
Number one thing going for Ames and NASA in general is the variety of interesting projects that you don't find at other organizations. If you've been working here for a while you have lots of flexibility to work on roles outside your comfort zone. If you're a space buff this is definitely a place to work, at least for a while.
Svantaggi
Some may consider the laid back atmosphere a pro, but in my opinion the organization could be SO much more if the culture was more vibrant. The compensation is definitely lower than industry. As with any big organization, there are lots of unjustified promotions based on politics rather than ability. If you're interested in developing your technical skills to be industry-ready, this is probably not the place for you.