Expected level/salary?

New
ftdY12

New

ftdY12
Apr 14, 2019 13 Comments

-Retiring from Navy (nuclear trained Submarine officer), 23 years service
-BS Computer Science (Auburn, 2005)
-Masters Eng Mgmt (ODU, 2012)
-Masters Data Science (JHU, 2019)
-40 years old
- I am pretty confident I'll do well on leadership/personality interviews and would do marginally well on any coding type questions.

Talking with a MSFT recruiter for Reliability Site Engineer - CTJ in Redmond. What sort of offer can I expect (TC)? Glassdoor says base of 130-200k, but no details on total compensation (signing bonus, relocation, etc). How competitive would I be for Seattle type tech jobs with no real experience in Software engineering?

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TOP 13 Comments
  • Google / Other
    shitpay

    Go to company page Google Other

    shitpay
    Hey op, thank you for your service to the country. πŸ™πŸ½
    Apr 14, 2019 2
    • New
      ftdY12

      New

      ftdY12
      OP
      Thanks for your support. Lots of hard working Americans (like yourself) contribute to the success and safety of our nation.
      Apr 14, 2019
    • Google / Other
      shitpay

      Go to company page Google Other

      shitpay
      You are welcome!

      Have you also thought about joining some of these security startups as consultant? Many of these security companies hire veterans, specifically for their experience in handling critical situation.

      In general, prepare leet code. Spend as much time as you can. This will help you do well in interviews. You will do well.

      PS: pmed you.
      Apr 14, 2019
  • Oath
    OPnd70

    Go to company page Oath

    OPnd70
    TC now?
    Apr 14, 2019 3
    • Oath
      OPnd70

      Go to company page Oath

      OPnd70
      If you’re an officer then you have some kind of management experience. I’ve seen a few AF officers transition into tech, but they may be outliers.
      Apr 14, 2019
    • New
      ftdY12

      New

      ftdY12
      OP
      Plenty of management and leadership experience. I just want to do something more technical, and the compensation I see on this site for the software engineers has me drooling a bit
      Apr 14, 2019
  • Oscar
    🐨koala

    Go to company page Oscar

    🐨koala
    Have you done anything with servers and programming during your service? Because SRE demands both.
    Apr 14, 2019 3
    • Oscar
      🐨koala

      Go to company page Oscar

      🐨koala
      I see that makes sense now I remember they do do some gov stuff. I recommend picking up a Python book/online tutorial and play with Ububtu on a laptop as a starter. I am not sure if MSFT SRE needs to leetcode. If so that would add some extra time for you to get up to speed. In general interview you might expect:

      1. Coding
      2. Troubleshooting/Linux
      3. System design
      4. Behavioral

      Some companies might omit some. Feel free to PM me if you have extra questions re SRE in general.
      Apr 14, 2019
    • New
      ftdY12

      New

      ftdY12
      OP
      Thank you so much for the advice. I will definitely get a dual boot option to practice using Ubuntu. Been a long time since I've used it, but I learn quickly.

      Working on #1 on your list now. I think #3 and #4 won't be too bad. Really appreciate the help!
      Apr 14, 2019
  • Apple
    QAvc78

    Go to company page Apple

    QAvc78
    I have a colleague who is a former navy officer, he is doing great as an EPM. I think you guys have a lot of soft skills and nerves, what is super useful to keep projects on track when all the engineers are a bunch of new grads or archetypical nerds with (sometimes) doubtful social skills. Good luck for your transition !
    Apr 14, 2019 1
    • New
      ftdY12

      New

      ftdY12
      OP
      Right on. Have any example TC figures in the Seattle area? I am watching a few TPM/PM roles at FB but the TC numbers on glassdoor have a pretty wide variance, and I have no idea where I'd start out at given my unique situation.

      My main goal is to make about what I am now (140k as a LCDR in DC) and just crush it when I get the opportunity. If I have to start a bit lower I'll manage since I get partial retirement (other half going to the ex). But a significant portion of my income is tax exempt so my net will still be less. The thing that worries me is companies passing on me due to my lack of experience, which I guess is less of a concern in an EPM type role.
      Apr 14, 2019