I have a few offers but I’m having trouble deciding based on a number of factors. I’m slightly older due to a previous career but have about 2-3YOE in software. Due to the career change I’ll be doing a fellowship before transitioning to full-time which is why many factors will be up in the air. But what I’m looking at is: NetApp: not a guarantee of a full-time offer after (this is worrisome). HCOL but within about 7 hours of family. Base salary: ~110-140k. Very interested in the work to be done. Remote 4 days a week, in office 1 day. Sandia National Labs: Within 3 hours of family; great WLB and time off. Base salary ~125-140k. Very interested in the work. No remote. Virtually a guaranteed offer at the end of the fellowship. Living situation (ABQ) has us a bit frustrated. eBay: Not really doing the dev work I want to be doing (systems admin). Expecting to move to San Jose taking us farther from family. No remote. Virtually a guaranteed offer at the end of the fellowship. Base salary: ~135-175k. Northrop Grumman: About 6 hours from family; HCOL area. Base salary ~100-110k. No remote. Virtually a guaranteed offer at the end of the fellowship. 2x smaller defense companies: 6-7 hours from family. HCOL. Base salary: ~120-135k. No remote. Virtually a guaranteed offer at the end of the fellowship. 1x of these is more data analysis than actual dev. Priorities for me and my family: 1) WLB/PTO/benefits 1) Actual dev work, growing my technical expertise 3) Compensation w/HCOL area 4) Reasonable distance to family/safe area to raise kids 5) Outdoor hobbies About me: Masters in CS. Previous defense job (hold TS/SCI). Previous career as software engineer (transitioning back hence the fellowship). Prefer backend C++. As I’m a little bit older, I don’t know what I don’t know so looking for some guidance. Thanks! #netapp #ebay #northropgrumman #sandianationallaboratories
How are 5 companies offering you fellowships
Previous military hence the defense work (TS/SCI)
Post it as poll, community can share their ideas and votes.
Don’t come to Northrop or other traditional defense primes(Lockheed, Raytheon). They only want to fill the contract head counts. Lots of SWE I know here don’t get to do actual coding. Northrop uses them as system engineers. Very high attrition because of this.
I really appreciate the reply! This is a lot of my fear with anything govt/defense to include the labs.
For those voting for eBay, can anyone share the big draw/push? Biggest issue I see is not being an actual developer but more DevOps (which is what I don’t want to be doing).
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