Raytheon is a complete bait and switch. I moved across the country to work as an Embedded SW as that was what I applied to, and discussed during interview.
Once here, you get put on a random program until your clearance comes through which is fine. BUT after that you WILL get put into ANY program because “business needs”. Yes, I am in a program completely and 100% unrelated to what I signed up for.
I’m not even using the programming language used in this field which means good luck leaving the company to get into the field you want to without long hours of studying and proving that you can do it to future employers. Other SW engineers will know what this is, but several of my pull requests have been up for a few months now. Barely any comments, and I messaged other people to look at it several times already. Nothing.
There was also an employee survey so that they send out so they can make their employees “happy” by putting them onto their career path and interests. Lmao this is the funniest part ever because it’s NOT true. My program manager admitted they didn’t even look at it when I asked them. If Raytheon wanted me to be a happy employee, maybe, I don’t know, but just maybe give me the work I signed up for?
Raytheon knows they have a retention issue. Instead what they do is tell you to pretend to be happy and lie to new hires about it because it’s all about “perception”.
Oh but what about this “you can transfer to a different program if you want”? LOL. I told my managers several times already that I do not like this program and it’s absolutely unrelated to my field and the job title I signed up for. They’ll listen and nod, fake a smile or two, then tell you “we need you because of “business needs”.” Literally their favorite words.
I almost forgot to mention.. the other new hires I spoke to want to do work that they signed up for but they can’t because “business needs” and they were toss into any program. They also tried complaining this wasn’t their interests but again it fell on deaf ears.
As for bonuses? WHAT A JOKE. Small measly 3% increase per year when inflation in 2020 was 5%.
They’re also frustrating the senior engineers by changing their benefits and moving them to a cheaper program. How amazing.
There are A LOT of new hires that are all doing nothing. Remember how you were applying like crazy in hopes of getting a job? Well here it’ll be the same way. Think about it. A ton of new hires, and they’re all toss randomly into different programs. Then when you want to transfer because you’re not interested, you get told “oh we’re sorry all the other programs are full or they aren’t looking”. Instead they will tell you to join various groups to network. Hilarious.
Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT fall for their hybrid or temporary assignment LIES. They will tell you it’s hybrid at first where you come in twice a week but then all of a sudden it’s 5x a week. The managers said my program is temporary until the end of July. Guess what I’m still here. They told someone else theirs is December. Now the talks we’re hearing is that it’ll be some time next year in ‘22. They will delay and delay time and time again.
As a person and a new grad with less than a year of experience, I’ve already started looking for a new job at month 5.
If you do decide to join, then go ahead and put on a Clown makeup.
