Interstellar Technologies

Pros: Some direct managers are solid, especially for remote Senior Software Engineer roles. You can find good people to work with who genuinely care about the project and team. The technical challenges in aerospace tech are often pretty engaging.
Cons: Upper management often feels out of touch. They make big decisions without getting input from the teams actually doing the work. This makes project planning chaotic and deadlines can shift constantly for the engineering department.
Advice to Management: Listen to your technical teams more often, especially when setting project timelines. More transparency from top leadership would really help morale and improve project execution across all engineering functions.

Pros: The health insurance benefits are solid, that's a big plus. They also have a decent 401k match, which isn't always a given at a mid-sized tech company. It's good for the aerospace tech industry.
Cons: Base salary for Software Engineer roles in Pasadena, CA feels just okay. I've seen better total compensation packages at similar companies. PTO accrual isn't super generous either, which is a bummer.
Advice to Management: Review the base salaries for engineering roles, especially considering the cost of living in Pasadena, CA. More competitive compensation would really help with retention.

Pros: I've really enjoyed the project work as a Software Engineer. My immediate team in the San Francisco office is super smart and collaborative. There's always interesting new tech challenges in software development.
Cons: The leadership team struggles with clear communication. It's tough to get a straight answer on strategic direction for our product roadmap. Upper management tends to micromanage, especially for technical roles, which kills team autonomy.
Advice to Management: Focus on building trust with your teams. Empower your managers to lead, and give us a clear vision instead of constant pivots. Trust your software development experts.