Re: "Some" Ada jobs in the Chicago area

[hartsoug@bonham.dsd.northrop.com (Hartsough Michael J.)]

Hi there!

I'm a Software Developer at Northrop-Grumman's Electronics Warfare Systems
Division in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Colin's message was so full of misinformation that I couldn't restrain myself
from responding.  ;^)

There currently are about 50 "open reqs." for permanent positions in our
software development organization. We have needs for all skill levels, from
entry-level up to Project Engineer/Technical Advisor/Unit Manager.

>As I recall, the hightest pay for the semi-manager Ada programmer there was
>about $40K.

My job title is "Engineer Specialist". That's (I believe) one level above Sr.
Programmer and two levels below Unit Manager 1. So I'm not even a quasi-semi-
manager. My salary is at the low end of the scale for my position, and I make
considerably more than 40K (like ~50% more).

Oh, there's no distinction made between "Ada programmers" and any other
programmers. I'm not an "Ada Engineer Specialist", even though I've been
using the language exclusively for the last 8 years.


>If Ada jobs in Chicago were so hot, then the jobs would be filled without
>advertising in Chicago or any other major city (which is not the case).

Sr. Management is extremely particular about to whom it makes offers. They much
prefer being under staffed than poorly staffed. Although an individual may be a
perfect fit for "right now", an offer won't be extended unless that individual
is also a perfect fit for "later".

By way of example, over the last 2 years we've interviewed several people whose
skills I desperately needed for a subsystem I'm developing. Although they were
superb talents who would have made my last 2 years infinitely less difficult
than they've been, we did not extend offers to them because their skills
weren't a good match for what this site traditionally does, or plans to be
doing in the future.


>When I was contacted the sub-contractor doing initial screening did not have
>accurate or detailed job descriptions, did not know the exact term of the
>assignment, and did not know if the "company" would pay for moving from
>another city.

I'd say you need to talk to a different shop.  ;^)

If you come in as contract labor, I seriously doubt that the company would pay
for you to relocate. If you come in as a permanent employee, the company's
relocation benefits are quite comprehensive.

I started here ~2-1/2 years ago. I was living in L.A. at the time. I was given
about 6 flights back to L.A. for my family and me, counting the actual move and
closing on the L.A. house.

All of my moving expenses were covered, including storing everything in a
warehouse for 3 months while we waited for escrow to close on our new house.

Northrop put me up in a nice furnished apartment, rent free for 6 months
(I was granted a 3 month extension to the original 90 days because we were
having trouble selling our L.A. home). A couple of the "new grads" have told
me that they were also provided a furnished apartment, so I guess this
relocation benefit goes all the way down to "entry level".

I forget the details now, but Northrop also paid my closing costs on both
houses, including Lawyer fees, "Points" on the new mortgage, and I believe
the realtor's commission on the sale of my L.A. home.

	Michael

p.s. Ordinarily I think these disclaimers are silly, but in this case I'll make
an exception. The opinions expressed above are solely my own and are not
necessarily those of the Northrop-Grumman corporation.