A software engineer's review.
Pros
- Work-life balance is great on most teams. - 401k match is fantastic @ 10% (50% of your first 8% + additional 6% at no cost to you) and has a self-directed brokerage option for those who want more control over their investments. Roth 401k is offered, which is nice. - You're usually afforded the ability to learn as you go. You're presented with real challenges whether the challenge itself is a technological/engineering challenge or a "we have to solve this problem between the left and right lateral limits of xyz requirements" challenge. I was never denied the ability to spend a few days getting up to speed on something I'm not familiar with - which leads to a greater breadth of experience and can be great for your resume. - While the culture is archaic, it's simply because everyone who started at the company 30, and 40 years ago is still there. You can reasonably expect the culture to become more modern as people retire - and in the meantime, the people are bright and pleasant to be around. Learn as much as you can from the older folks, while they're still around. - The mission is patriotic. It's easy to take pride and find fulfillment in the work. - The company has finally embraced remote work for those roles that have the ability to do so.
Cons
- Software engineering is underpaid compared to big tech. The defense sector will never compete with FAANG and doesn't try to... but this does lead to high turn-over in software engineering talent; especially at the senior/3 level. - High deductible insurance plans are all that's offered. Not great for young families. - First-line management (asc managers and even level 5 managers) don't have much power when it comes to any significant promotions, raises, etc. Obviously, their input is taken by directors and HR and they can decide if you get a 1% bonus or a 5% bonus or raise at the end of the year within certain parameters, but at the end of the day.. HR has a rigid matrix/formula they will use to determine your level/title/pay/growth rate. - You have to create growth. Lockheed promotes based on years with the company - not merit. - Make Skunk Works Skunky again.. it's just another streamlined LOB now. Once upon a time, Skunk Works would have been like being at Bell Labs in the '60s. Not so much in 2021. Management hails Kelly Johnson's 14 rules - but doesn't follow any of them.
