Mechanical Engineer in aerospace and defense

Mar 4 12 Comments

Joined blind this week and really considering a switch. Went to top 5 school for my program, graduate top of my class, 24, 2 yoe and TC is around 85k in SoCal. Have a few offers at some good companies but only looking at around 120k TC (in hcol). Not super passionate about swe but after seeing so many people here with 500k+ TC I don’t have much motivation for my career. Should I make a switch to swe?

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TOP 12 Comments
  • Google
    IlIIIIllI

    Go to company page Google

    IlIIIIllI
    Mechanical engineers at FAANG make ~80% of what SWEs make at those companies. However, there are probably ~100x fewer positions (so it is very competitive to get in) and the WLB is often poor.

    I think switching to SWE makes sense if you're early in your career and not interested enough in mechanical engineering to compete your way in to those few positions.
    Mar 4 4
    • New / Eng
      EGIo64

      New Eng

      EGIo64
      What's considered a poor WLB in Google? might be regular for a ME lol
      Mar 5
    • Google
      IlIIIIllI

      Go to company page Google

      IlIIIIllI
      WLB is going to be team and timing dependent, but I've heard of 50-80 hour workweeks, 30+ hours of meetings per week, night calls with Asia most nights, impossible expectations from execs and unreal deadlines, lack of headcount vs. milestones, and people burning out/working themselves sick to try to get promoted.

      That is most likely not representative of everyone's experience, but it seems like it can get pretty bad for WLB for at least some people.
      Mar 8
  • Google
    OldNoob

    Go to company page Google

    OldNoob
    If you wanna switch switch. Or look at the other hardware folks at 300+ TC.

    But let’s get real here. Outside of Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon you won’t see crazy TC numbers thrown around. With typical ME roles you’ll hit a ceiling relatively quickly. Most ME’s I’ve known and worked with transitioned to program or project management to keep increasing but in general you will hit a cap around 120-140 (adjust for COL) unless you have management in the title. With NEW car manufacturers you can go much higher and they can even get you to the 300+

    But with all that said… as a SWE (with some competence) you can basically work anywhere and for any company and look at 100k at the BOTTOM end of the range.
    Mar 4 4
  • Earlier the better or live with regret later.
    Mar 4 0
  • New
    JkwI06

    New

    JkwI06
    Yes if you’re no longer interested in aerospace or mechanical engineering. I’m currently an aerospace engineer and like my work, but more money is always good.
    Mar 5 0