Aerospace Engineer to FAANG?

Mar 25 13 Comments

I’ve been working in a fairly niche segment of Aerospace Engineering for my entire career, but have dabbled a fair amount in software development throughout. ~2 years ago while job searching I tossed a resume at Google and went through the phone screening for a Software Test job. The screening went really well and the recruiter was ready to move me forward to onsite, but COVID halting hiring for those positions. Instead, I ended up in the job I currently have in my Aerospace discipline, but after reading around here, the TC numbers for FAANG seem out of this world.

My current role is quite demanding and wlb is not the greatest, so I’m interested in making a change; Google is most attractive to me, but not meaning to rule out other options. What would this be like for me at 37 y/o with ~12 years of experience in my Aerospace discipline, switching to FAANG? I assume I’ll be going back to entry-level or maybe just a bit higher if lucky?

Some of my skills should be transferable, but maybe there are other roles that even better fit? PM? TPM?

TC: ~$230k
YOE: ~12 (in Aerospace Engineering)

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 13 Comments
  • Amazon
    ab68273

    Go to company page Amazon

    ab68273
    Why would you possibly want to go from working on something amazing like aerospace engineering to slinging code for some shitty faang? Sorry but I don't see any of the faang companies doing anything remotely interesting. I visit Boeing and they're working on some seriously cool shit !

    Why not check out space x or blue origin?
    Mar 25 5
    • New
      FCAY40

      New

      FCAY40
      Or check out Anduril or Palantir
      Mar 25
    • My work is interesting, but distinctly demanding i.e. nights away from home, schedules inconsistent, etc.. I have young kids so it's tough to manage.

      Seems like I don't have much upward mobility that would make significantly more TC, while FAANG posts higher numbers than what I'm making now.

      I had planned on computer engineering originally, but ended up in aerospace. I've always really enjoyed solving problems with code.
      Mar 25
  • It would be best to move into a role that most tangential to your current work. If you become a SWE you effectively start at a junior level at a junior compensation.

    The closest thing I could imagine you do is be an engineering manager, although some companies prefer their managers know how to build software. PM will be hard to get a job for since there are few positions for people who are plenty qualified.

    TLDR: if you have managed a team before, consider EM roles
    Mar 26 3
    • I'm definitely looking for tangential work, but it's tricky coming from aerospace looking for FAANG. I've been involved in software throughout my aerospace career and written plenty of code myself (although not much recently) so I'd like to think I could match my current TC as generic SWE or do better if I find a role that is related.
      Mar 26
    • Any examples of aerospace engineering making 500k? I don't know of them; I'd be interested to hear how they got there.
      Mar 26
  • You can do it. Don't get discouraged. PM me. Happy to chat. Everyone has value!
    Mar 25 2