Update
A lot has happened since my last real LJ post. I did take the trip to NY for the UN conference and had a blast. I've been working on an "engagement team" for the space center, specifically looking at ways to make our community more inclusive and innovative. I've also been looking for a new job.
As awesome as the people at L-3 are and dedicated they are to their work, I decided that I really just don't like coding and the opportunities to do real systems engineering are few. I also just don't see much room for career advancement.
On Tuesday, I got an offer from SAIC to work in the ISS Payloads office and do systems engineering and integration for science payloads going to the Station. They also offered me a five percent raise over my current salary, the opportunity to get certification in systems engineering, and options for my future. In my interview, I said that I was very interested in eventually working on lunar planning and operations. It was made very clear to me that they would be willing to discuss transitioning to that kind of work if I give them a few good years in ISS Payloads.
Jenn says this is really the first opportunity outside of L-3 that I've looked at that she not only feels comfortable with, but that she also understands the appeal and sees how this will advance my career. I'm not just getting out for the sake of it.
I've accepted SAIC's offer and submitted my resignation to L-3. I'll start at SAIC on December 15th. Fortunately, my new management has been very flexible in recognizing that I already had plans to be the best man in my friend, Eric's, wedding and to take a cruise with Jenn at Christmas. They promised I won't have to miss either.
I'm really excited to be moving to a position where I'll get to do the "big picture" thinking that I'm good at and develop my systems engineering skills. I told my new boss that I perceived this job to be one of integrating the work of the engineers, scientists, and operations people so the NASA managers can make the best decisions, much like what I did as an intel analyst. He said he couldn't think of a better one-sentence description.
This is going to be awesome. :)
As awesome as the people at L-3 are and dedicated they are to their work, I decided that I really just don't like coding and the opportunities to do real systems engineering are few. I also just don't see much room for career advancement.
On Tuesday, I got an offer from SAIC to work in the ISS Payloads office and do systems engineering and integration for science payloads going to the Station. They also offered me a five percent raise over my current salary, the opportunity to get certification in systems engineering, and options for my future. In my interview, I said that I was very interested in eventually working on lunar planning and operations. It was made very clear to me that they would be willing to discuss transitioning to that kind of work if I give them a few good years in ISS Payloads.
Jenn says this is really the first opportunity outside of L-3 that I've looked at that she not only feels comfortable with, but that she also understands the appeal and sees how this will advance my career. I'm not just getting out for the sake of it.
I've accepted SAIC's offer and submitted my resignation to L-3. I'll start at SAIC on December 15th. Fortunately, my new management has been very flexible in recognizing that I already had plans to be the best man in my friend, Eric's, wedding and to take a cruise with Jenn at Christmas. They promised I won't have to miss either.
I'm really excited to be moving to a position where I'll get to do the "big picture" thinking that I'm good at and develop my systems engineering skills. I told my new boss that I perceived this job to be one of integrating the work of the engineers, scientists, and operations people so the NASA managers can make the best decisions, much like what I did as an intel analyst. He said he couldn't think of a better one-sentence description.
This is going to be awesome. :)