7 ms·

In the U.S., maybe somewhere like Naval Undersea Warfare Centers (at least when I worked there). The problems they're solving are pretty constant, but they go

In the U.S., maybe somewhere like Naval Undersea Warfare Centers (at least when I worked there). The problems they're solving are pretty constant, but they go very deep technically for those who are interested. There's a very long learning curve compared to most private sector jobs, but you can power through it in proportion to your personal ambitions. Downsides: (1) You're a political punching bag for 50% of the candidates in each federal election, except in years where military power is on the electorates' minds. (2) Mediocre pay. (3) Soul-crushing bureaucracy. (4) It's the only job I've ever had where the employer has missed payroll. Other pros: (1) Working with the same folks for many years can be nice. (2) Within limits, national defense is really important. If you want it done well, this is an opportunity to pitch in. Caveat: invading Greenland or Panama isn't what I'd call "national defense". But the learning curve / hiring process are too cumbersome to quit and rejoin every 4 years depending on politics. I know of no good solution to this one.

cbsks 2y ago
I interviewed at NUWC Keyport when I was in college. Seemed like an interesting place to work but they didn’t have any real programming roles at the time. My interviewer asked if I had experience with UML and talked about how he wanted someone to document and optimize their assembly line procedures. I’m not sure he knew exactly what he wanted.
- CoastalCoder 2y ago
  In my experience, tasking was really department-specific. On the bright side, once you were inside and got your bearings, it was reasonably easy to get transferred to a department that better suited one's interests.
ConfusedDog 2y ago
"National defense" as defense of nation's interests. Politicians can phrase it however they like. Pay is meh, benefits are pretty good if you locked into 0.4% FERS deduction prior 2013, that's like 16% annualized compounding... health insurance is getting less and less attractive by the year. Salary growth is also slow and next few years probably gonna be a big fat zero and eaten alive by inflation. Like OP said, it does feel like turning into a rock solid pillar and getting forgotten.
- CoastalCoder 2y ago
  I was at NUWC Newport. Depending on the department, there was more or less programming to be done.

cbsks 2y ago

I interviewed at NUWC Keyport when I was in college. Seemed like an interesting place to work but they didn’t have any real programming roles at the time. My interviewer asked if I had experience with UML and talked about how he wanted someone to document and optimize their assembly line procedures. I’m not sure he knew exactly what he wanted.

CoastalCoder 2y ago
In my experience, tasking was really department-specific. On the bright side, once you were inside and got your bearings, it was reasonably easy to get transferred to a department that better suited one's interests.

ConfusedDog 2y ago

"National defense" as defense of nation's interests. Politicians can phrase it however they like. Pay is meh, benefits are pretty good if you locked into 0.4% FERS deduction prior 2013, that's like 16% annualized compounding... health insurance is getting less and less attractive by the year. Salary growth is also slow and next few years probably gonna be a big fat zero and eaten alive by inflation. Like OP said, it does feel like turning into a rock solid pillar and getting forgotten.

CoastalCoder 2y ago
I was at NUWC Newport. Depending on the department, there was more or less programming to be done.