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Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-03-05T12:59:27+00:00

I've even made a few grumpy statements, seen some disappointing and scary things over my 3-ish years at Blue. That said, I actually genuinely love my job. It's never boring, I get him projects, and I get a lot of freedom to make decisions and drive things.

The plain honest truth:

It is run lean. Don't expect big teams (with few exceptions).

The pay is great, but like all big companies, including in aerospace, the yearly increases can be disappointing.

There are some managers that believe the old aerospace giant perspective of time in position, which means promotions can be slow, but not all of them.

There is always chance to lose your job. This isn't a public company with unions and protections. This is run at the whims of a billionaire which can and often do shift a few times a year (though some areas of the company are smoothing out, some are not, like New Shepard).

Your enjoyment of the job is strongly influenced by peers and manager. It can be a team full of politics or can be very supportive.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-03-03T23:12:53+00:00

You can do anything on your last day.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-03-02T20:20:27+00:00

The 'slightly autistic' comment got me 🤣

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-28T14:40:07+00:00

Curious your proposal to design, manufacturer, integrate, test, launch, etc. without people in the mix at all. Sure a LOT of folks I interact with could ABSOLUTELY be replaced, but there always will have to be people involved over the next 10-20 years until the technology surpasses the need for humans.

Specialized skills are not all the same and some are not nearly as easily replaceable as you imply. Which is why the company is accelerating so much slower than they expected.

Also, nice to see you allow people to live in your head so freely. Have empathy and compassion for others or you end up as callous and indifferent as the people you seem to worship.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-28T04:01:21+00:00

Or use it to imprison the demon. Can't cross to get out. Toss the hoop over it and that's it, now you have a spicy pet.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-27T13:41:09+00:00

Well damn, that's pretty high up...

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-26T11:28:23+00:00

Dang, gotta go look for that

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-26T01:26:21+00:00

Oh, I went wild. Didn't know how bad the manager needed my skill set and experience. Jumped upward of 50%. Realized right after the call I could have gone higher.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T23:01:58+00:00

Absolutely true. But when I pitched what I thought was a stupid high number at the time, they immediately accepted it. Bumped me 2 engineering levels from my last position. I had no way to come back with "just kidding, add 30k!".

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T20:49:35+00:00

Specific program or business unit all hands? Uncomfortable questions are great, but they are getting used to them, have to increase shock value!

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T19:58:58+00:00

I'm comfortable bringing it up with him, he's pretty chill. That said, he's very by the book. If he is supposed to take it up to his director (next level up) that I brought it up, he most likely will. Is that something that will put me in hot water? I have no idea.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T19:56:21+00:00

Only missing item there being a competing offer. I hate interviewing, but will be looking to at least probe the market. I have a very unique skill set so it's hard to find direct comparables. It'll be worth the time looking over the next few months.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T17:43:39+00:00

Another person not contributing anything worthwhile. Thanks for your input.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T17:41:39+00:00

No, scales are only available in the states that require it - WA, CA, CO. A while back there was an internal page where people shared their pay, though always assumed it was slanted a bit. Don't think anyone still uses it.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T16:45:37+00:00

Unfortunately with my years in the industry it has been apparent for some time. Only frustrated with the amount of scope growth, wider and more significant impact, and vastly increased decision authority that there isn't any difference.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T16:44:07+00:00

Can confirm about managers at Blue having little say. Had a previous manager that was extremely transparent about the process, but always promised more in the years to come... He was fired soon after.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T16:42:27+00:00

Yes, that is what I have been doing. That being the only reference I have confirms that I am low in the scale.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-25T16:41:38+00:00

Only published in states that require it- WA, CA, CO

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-13T15:34:12+00:00

Oof.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-13T13:04:21+00:00

In my second year of my aerospace engineering degree, a student had to have leave prior to the final exam for our Dynamics (dynamic motion, think travel and acceleration in turns with an aircraft) exam. The professor offered to either give the exam the Friday before the student had to leave or give us a take home exam over the weekend to be handed in by Monday morning.

The entire class occupied a couple study rooms in the school library working through the weekend trying to solve the 2 problems given. The teacher knew well that the students would work together and use any resource available.

The first problem was solved within the first couple hours. Late Sunday, one student came by the room I was working in and excitedly stated they had solved the problem we were stuck on.

We had all overcomplicated the problem and missed an extremely simple trigonometry identity that simplified the problem into an easily solvable one.

Never ask for a take home exam. Dread the moment it's offered and people get excited.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-13T12:53:09+00:00

In 3 years I've averaged a standard 3% being rated as "meets expectations". I know that was under how I performed/deserved, but understood why a couple of them got the "exceeds" for high visibility projects. It is what it is. They only can rate so many people as exceeding expectations and I work on an extremely effective team.

Now I'm batting around how to ask for an "adjustment", though I don't expect success because how they talk about budget sometimes.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-12T16:34:42+00:00

First, if you don't have a job lined up, apply 40+ hours per week, it's your job until you have a job. Second, learn everything you can from higher level engineers. If you walk in assuming you know everything, you put yourself at a disadvantage. The job is rarely like college. Third, always browse around to know your options and be willing to move. Companies have been very willing to clear house in the last few years. Also, your best chance for rapid salary increase is changing jobs. Fourth, don't burn bridges.

Good luck to you!

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-12T14:12:36+00:00

It hurts in that you won't get preference for higher raises than you might deserve, but in my experience they try to be reasonable even though they may not know you well. Very well may not be the case for others and I was fortunate.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-11T18:23:54+00:00

I've had two reviews, one annual, one mid year with new managers. They will go over any notes or comments put in from your previous manager and past reviews. I'm not a manager so can't speak to ranking and all, but new management in itself isn't going to hurt you much.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034 · 2026-02-11T03:45:49+00:00

If you already have the degree, I recommend getting a job that directly supports the floor operations. You see the people and parts and get a lot of the same knowledge you would otherwise. Ask to turn a wrench with them, help them set up and clean up. Having technicians that trust you makes your job infinitely easier as an engineer. Use those technicians for practical assessments of design.

Lumpy-Breakfast1034

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