Hi all! I'm currently contracting at Microsoft with a bit over 6 months left in my contract. I love the team and the manager is one of the best I ever had, very smart, calm and easygoing. I have a lot of freedom, no micromanagement whatsoever, and the work I'm doing is pretty high-level and impactful, and I believe that I'm doing a good job. My manager likes me too and is totally willing to convert, even started preparing paperwork to have me backfill one of the guys who recently left the team, but then the hiring freeze happened and now we cannot even backfill. At the same time, several months ago I interviewed for Starlink for a senior engineer position because working at SpaceX was my long-time dream (after working at Microsoft I cooled down a little bit). I liked the people in the team, but didn't like open space and that it's so remote and getting there from Seattle will be painful. The process was super slow, but finally, they extended me an offer, currently I'm trying to negotiate some numbers, but even the current offer is not bad, better than I expected, and money is not a decision-making factor here. So, what do you guys think I should do? If I was sure that the freeze will be lifted soon and I'll have an opportunity to stay as an FTE I'd totally stay at Microsoft as I put a lot of time, effort and creativity in the current project and want to see it being released finally, but I also don't want to be kicked out in half a year if not converted. At SpaceX I expect a fun and fast environment, impactful and interesting work, lots of bottom-up decision making that I miss at Microsoft, but I'm a little bit scared of permanent overtime and I hate the idea of driving to work everyday. Hardware engineering, PhD, YOE ~5 after PhD Microsoft TC ~150k (plus lousy contractor benefits) SpaceX TC ~ 200k (65% base 35% RSU), negotiating the numbers; and benefits are better but still not top-notch
FTE > contractor
SpaceX maybe more upside? Idk when they are gunna exit
FTE in the current market
I’d say go out of your comfort zone and go for SpaceX. Whatever your contribution to the company will stay for years since it has no competition
Ex-spacex here. The kinda work us hardware engineers will be doing at spacex is top notch! You’ll get noticed by peers and every other company will die to get you. If u still single and have enough flexibility to pull heavy work hours here and there then I’d say spacex 100%! The most i ever learned in my HW EE career was from my time at spacex. As side note, it depends a lot on ur team too, so take my advice w a grain of salt! Peace
wow, so I guess your tc must be at least 500k now
Thanks, that's really helpful! I'm not single, but no kids, so I will def have some time to dedicate.
PHD, 5 yoe, how did you work as contractor at msft? you are terrible at you career plan
Moved to the States fairly recently, was doing PhD in Europe. Was happy at my previous job (small specialized company), but AR/VR technology always fascinated me so I decided to give it a try and get the contract.
you are exploited, bro. msft should have given you fte earlier
Yeah man come help us make some satellites. Starlink's probably the best program to be on right now. Faster pace and higher impact than dragon/falcon at this point, but not as crazy as starship. Lots of super challenging problems to solve in hardware engineering rn. Plus the commute will be opposite the direction of traffic since leaving the city in the mornings
Thanks for your support, that helps! Will probably do=)
Just saying, them starlinks can’t launch themselves. Falcon is paying the bills and doing the heavy lifting. Lots of great eng opportunities on both Falcon and Dragon with huge impact.
Elon sucks, I don’t trust this guy
Contracting doesn’t have a future. why this even a debate? Happy for you.
Someone wants to brag on blind maybe? 🤷🏻♂️
Really hard decision. If money truly isn’t a factor, consider the living + working conditions. Enjoy not driving to work and knowing you have work you like? Versus work you think you will like, and will be forced to do 50+hrs every week. Idk that’s just me.
Thank you, appreciate the response! Well, also the problem here is that I'm not sure that I'll have the job I like in half a year, this is a big concern for me, and in general being a contractor is actually mentally hard for me too (never had contract gigs before this one and totally don't want to repeat). On the other hand, no one can guarantee no layoffs at SpaceX in a couple of months too...
I enjoy driving to work, it’s a kind of relax for me. I have never taken any public transport for the past 5 years