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Engineering

Software Development Engineer

Job Description

Did not fill in.

Pros

1) Flexibility - Usually, you can control what time you get into the office and what time you leave, as long as you get your work done. You are also given the option to work from home on days that you need to take care of personal errands.

2) Stability - Since companies in the defense industry require employees to be US citizens, your job cannot be outsourced. This, however, does not mean that companies in defense industry never lays off.

Cons

1) Stiff Competition - My company is not well known, and yet we can afford to choose the top 5% of applicants for our engineering positions. Since many engineering jobs have been outsourced, Sillicon Valley continues to have a glut of out of work engineers.

2) Censorship - Since a top secret security clearance is required for companies in the defense industry, the top secret security clearance restricts your ability to describe your work to others. For our company, a polygraph and extensive background check is required to qualify for the top secret security clearance.

3) Overtime - Depending on the project and schedule, some projects require weeknight and weekend work to make the deadline. Expect periodic weeknight and weekend work.

Company Size

500-1000 employees

Pay Range

$60,001-$70,000

Years in Job

1

Education

B.S. in Electrcal Engr, M.S. in Electrical Engr.

City

Sunnyvale

State

CA

Software Development Engineer

Job Description

Did not fill in.

Pros

1) Flexibility - Usually, you can control what time you get into the office and what time you leave, as long as you get your work done. You are also given the option to work from home on days that you need to take care of personal errands.

2) Stability - Since companies in the defense industry require employees to be US citizens, your job cannot be outsourced. This, however, does not mean that companies in defense industry never lays off.

Cons

1) Stiff Competition - My company is not well known, and yet we can afford to choose the top 5% of applicants for our engineering positions. Since many engineering jobs have been outsourced, Sillicon Valley continues to have a glut of out of work engineers.

2) Censorship - Since a top secret security clearance is required for companies in the defense industry, the top secret security clearance restricts your ability to describe your work to others. For our company, a polygraph and extensive background check is required to qualify for the top secret security clearance.

3) Overtime - Depending on the project and schedule, some projects require weeknight and weekend work to make the deadline. Expect periodic weeknight and weekend work.

Company Size

500-1000 employees

Pay Range

$60,001-$70,000

Years in Job

3

Education

B.S. in Electrcal Engr, M.S. in Electrical Engr.

City

Sunnyvale

State

CA

Sr. Principal Engineer

Job Description

Std. Engineering work in R&D: -Design process experiments -Run experiments -Test and characterize results -Optimize process -Transfer to Production group

Have some meetings (although not too many, which is good), maybe once every couple of days, to present results and attend other people's meeting

Some time work at desk, some time work in factory

Pros

Working in the R&D group. So, it is always challenging and rewarding, evaluating and developing new technologies. Can relate job function and work directly to and affect product performance, turning raw material into useful product Be able to work hands-on, and there is plenty of flexibility in area to work on and time. Work usually involves multiple departments, which makes it more interesting.

Cons

Work is high pressure job and things have to move and be developed fast, in order to release technologies and products on time or earlier to market and beat the competition. Have to be able to make good and sound judgements and decisions based on limited information.

Company Size

0-25 employees

Pay Range

$120,001-$140,000

Years in Job

11-20

Education

Ph.D.

City

Southern California

State

CA

civil engineer

Job Description

I work on various construction projects. Our company are the owners of these projects and we hire contractors to do the work. I work in the administrative end...filing, paying the bills, writing change orders, etc. No stress at all and great people to work with.

Pros

People I work with are great..very professional and dedicated to their jobs. Since I work in construction, there is a lot of flexibility. I'm able to go to the jobsite to check on the project and stay indoors to do office work. Management doesn't really micro-manage so there's plenty of freedom to get your work done.

Great benefits toward retirement and medical/dental services.

Cons

The pay isn't that great compared to other companies and the work isn't all that interesting. There is plenty to learn if you are passionate about this line of work but since I'm not really into engineering, I'm not all that interested.

Company Size

10,000 or greater employees

Pay Range

$70,001-$80,000

Years in Job

5-10

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

City

oakland

State

CA
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