Maybe on your free time, yes. But only if you think it will demonstrate enough value to get you something you desire: cool work, a promotion, etc. This requir

Maybe on your free time, yes. But only if you think it will demonstrate enough value to get you something you desire: cool work, a promotion, etc. This requires a good understanding of what your managers and the larger organization will value, and whether they reward people who show they can deliver on those items. People's careers _do_ get bumped from these kinds of efforts, but I've seen a lot of engineers spend 40 hours prototyping something that management just won't value.