Re: "Some" Ada jobs in the Chicago area

[jakala@netcom.com (henry jakala)]

Hartsough Michael J. (hartsoug@bonham.dsd.northrop.com) wrote:
: Hi there!

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

 
     i quit in August and they go and change their name, hope it wasn't 
     anything i did, last time i checked the division was still called
     "Electronics Systems Division" (ESD)


: 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.


    50 open reqs ?  for Digital Systems ?
    where are they going to put them ?


: >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).


    i was an Engineering Specialist Sr, contract engineering is much
    more lucrative <vbg> and offers more variety as well as allowing
    you to pick and choose your own assignments.


: 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".

   
      and only if you know the right answer to the "mystery" question

      ( an inside joke )


: 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.


       i never heard about it, oh well


: >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.
-- 
                                                    jakala@netcom.com
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