Received an offer for an automation engineering position. Base 110k, 10k for relocation and 10k signing bonus. YoE - 3. Is this a good offer? Also concerned about moving to the Palmdale or Santa Clarita area, doesn’t seem like there is a ton to do there. #northropgrumman #aviation
Thanks for the info! Yeah, I could definitely seeing that being a problem but I’m sure it’s team dependent. Look into anduril in Irvine CA, it’s a defense startup and located in nice area of SoCal
Thanks for the tip, I had an interview with them but unfortunately didn’t make it past the first round.
Palmdale is where dreams and hopes go to die. But the offer is right on the mark for YOE/Role.
Definitely not excited about the location. Wondering if it’s worth it to work there for a year then find a job in a better location
That is what commonly happens. The relatively low cost of living lets folk save up a bit of a nest egg and jumpstart their finances.
Op’s concerns, scope of interview, etc are all spot on. Note that from santa clarita, palmdale is still like good 45min/hr away ( i used to always stop by santa clarita or porter ranch to meet my friends for dinner otw to palmdale site or edwards). The work at ngc is not challenging at all, and given you are from gm, expect your work environment to be a lot like gm, plus boomerism.
Thanks for the input! Seems like it might not be the best fit for me, especially since I’m trying to leave GM to get away from their work environment. Would love a job that’s more of a challenge!
Ohh in that case, no you are not going to get it at ngc. We just pay more than gm, or auto without the unionization. Honestly, i even tell my new hires to succeed in this place, you have to bs and sell snake oil, rather than actually do work, as well as understand how gm makes shit cars and still gets away with it. If you intend to coast, and take the bs culture to your advantage, this is a palce for you. Otherwise, for sake of your mental health, nope. Youll thank me later. I know gm has the technology, but shit management basically causes shit cars to be produced (though i like their trucks), so please take no offense. Also, i complain about how my 8yoe/160k tc as an automation engineer pays for nothing in so cal, so even at palmdale, i wonder how the fuck 110k is going to feed you…sufficiently. Houses at palmdale and lancasters still like 500-600k min, with santa clarita houses about 800k. Just take this as a means to negotiate your gm salary a hit, buy yourself some time, then find a proper job that you will be truly happy with. Gluck!
Santa Clarita to live if you don’t mind the 40-50min drive to work. Then go to LA on weekends. Challenge will depend on what project you will be working on. Anything jet, bomber or weapons will be exciting. Development or testing is what you want to go into. If there’s a clearance then might be worth it if you can stay a year and move on. Palmdale is slow paced and not great or good for nightlife. If you want the nightlife go to redondo beach or el segundo. Rent can vary depending on drive and location near those two areas.
I’d be programming AGVs in the factory that builds F-35 fuselages. I would get clearance. It’s a cool opportunity, but I don’t know that I’m willing to move to Palmdale. El segundo or redondo beach would definitely be better locations for me.
It sounds boring but if you get a clearance you can pivot into other cool projects at redondo or el segundo after 1 year. Santa Clarita is better than Palmdale to live.
Friends don't let friends work at NGC. Are you moving out of state? Try to negotiate for uncapped relo or $20k cause moving is expensive. Another thing you should look at is what's GMs PTO and how much do you have. Northrop outs everything into one basket. 40 hours upfront that's both vacation and sick time.
I would be moving from Michigan, they gave me $10k for relocation. At GM I’ve got 15 vacation days and unlimited sick days. The recruiter wouldn’t really explain how much vacation I’d get at NGC.
Also, because ngc recruiter dont do a good job explaining, i will also concur with rgkd76 100% with his statement. From 40hrs, you accrue cpl pto hours per pay period, 2 weeks. You use this pto hours to fill up whatever unworked hours throughout the day, sick or vacation, as well as fill up unworked hours through 9/80 work schedule. You can also get eww/straight pay ot from 81st hr worked and so on per pay period, with manager approval (48hrs per pay period max) You can also use your vcay as negotiation term. As in start with 15 days of vacay for accrual. Also, see how much deduction they do for health insurance, as well as 401k. High premium health is about 300 and a change for a family, per pay period, in space park (redondo beach). Also 401k match is 1-1 match for first 4%, 50% of that for 5 to 8th %, with 3 yr vested period. Dunno your tc at gm, but really wonder if its worth moving or nor for you….even if i dislike michigan.. Really, i let my friend join ngc and he regretted it. I feel like a fellow blinder should have some transparent knowledge, before joining this hell hole.
After reading everyone’s comments it seems like it’s not the best move for me! No point in going from one slow paced company in a location I hate straight to another slow paced company in a bad location.
I concur with iqik01, I like their friend regret joining NGC. only thing they did was offer better pay the prior employer. Also the recruiters are notorious for lying, once you get in its hard to move around as they usually have internal promotions in mind. Everyone's experience is different but I'm glad you made the decision to not join. I left a company with similar pto to yours and they wouldn't budge on negotiating it..
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What was the interview process like? Palmdale is boring af, not sure about Santa Clarita The offer sounds good for Palmdale, not so sure about Santa Clarita
I had one phone call with the recruiter and one hour long virtual interview with the hiring manager, so it was very easy compared to other companies I’ve interviewed with this. I’m concerned the job won’t be very challenging, I was hoping to land a job with a startup in California, but that hasn’t panned out yet.
You are correct the job won’t be challenging.