I work in Robotics today (29yo - TC $122k - 6YOE) like my job a ton. But it's time to shake things up. I have 2 offers and am moving forward with one. Either NASA R&D Robotics to build working prototypes of robots designed for future missions ($144k TC). Other job is for a Tech Firm with a cool robot, but I'd be helping their manufacturing line that manufactures said robot. Essentially I'd be building custom machines for them to speed up the process or make it more reliable ($191k TC). I've got plenty of Mechanical Design experience, and plenty of Electrical Design experience. I still have work to do on my software skills and work on it on my own time for embedded and just general python/ROS experience. I think NASA would give me more exposure to that, but a $47k TC delta isn't nothing. Especially if you consider the company is growing 35% YOY over the last decade. #robotics #hardware
Is the tech company a name that most people would know outside of your industry? If so that's probably your best bet.
Nope. Big in the medical device industry. Not really heard of outside of it... for now.
Go NASA. Do rad shit. Get top secret clearance. Avoid the tyranny of product managers.
You will have amazing WLB at NASA, if it is JPL I will also say that other top companies may try to poach you in the future plus the work is very badass.
Follow the 💰
Do this. I took a detour once for a similar reason and learned this lesson. The place with more $ is going to have more to throw at staying current and cutting edge.