I keep seeing engineers here post about how working at a defense contractor is 'career suicide'. I am planning on applying to big tech in 1-2 years since this is my first Software Engineering role. I recently switched over from Mechanical Engineering. That's another thing... will my resume look bad if I not only have Northrop Grumman but also a BS in Mech Engineering? I am seriously considering getting a master's in CS to help my case. But then when I mention that, engineers here say to 'just focus on Leetcode'. Well, how can I 'just focus on Leetcode' if my resume won't even get touched because I'm tainted by an ME degree and DoD company? Sorry, I'm just new to this industry. Would be cool to hear some success stories about some of you going from DoD => MAANG/Unicorn TC: $98k USD #swe #software #engineering
Hiring is hard right now. If you’ve got the skills, then you’ve got a shot!
companies on resume mean less compared to skills you list on it. focus on up leveling right skillset and you'll break into FAANG
It’s only hard if ur lazy as fuck like me
lol how... I just switched over to SWE that was already a lot of work on it's own now I'm just thinking what my next jump is good luck to you man!
Jump to low to medium tier tech company then apply to FAANG.
Don’t get a masters. I recently left defense (90 TC) to Intuit (350 TC) with 2 YOE. Just hop on leetcode and system design videos and grind
this is good motivation! I don't usually see ppl post that they went from defense to tech. thanks
Can probably jump to Amazon if you step up your LinkedIn game a little.
Lol you don’t need to up anything to get to Amazon, you just need a pulse
I mean you just have to be visible to their recruiters at all. Put a little thought into keywords and such, and add a few of them.
Learned more at big tech in one year than 3 years working in defense. You'll need to brush up on large system design since that never seems to happen in DoD. It seems people get pigeon holed into defense after they get complacent in the industry.
How was WLB/stress at Defense job?
There was no stress and amazing WLB. But made 1/6 of what I make now
I did defense for 8 years. Ended up at Twitter ultimately but also had an offer from Facebook. If you’re smart you have just as good a chance as anybody else at passing the interview. Actually getting an interview could be a bit tougher, though, because you likely won’t be recruited… you’ll have to get the recruiter’s attention yourself (message on LinkedIn, get a referral, etc).
I went from Raytheon to Google. It’s possible to make the switch. I wish I had moved sooner.
Don’t do master’s. I don’t have a bachelor’s. Take an intermediate hop to a low-tier tech company, or a large non-tech company. Then make the pivot to FAANG. Honestly, you could probably dress your resume up with keywords that could get you noticed too. But an intermediate hop would probably be easiest.
what is a low-tier tech company? I thought I was already at one?
so an upgrade from northop but not tier 1 companies. there are lot of mid tier companies & startups you can build your resume at