Great place to work just got better
Pros
Good, serious permanent position serving as contract engineering for a large agricultural company. SW Scrum teams, state of the art. CAN automotive adapted to agricultural applications. Give plenty of time to learn for someone coming from an avionics background. I am a Systems Engineer (SW Systems Engineer) managing CAN database change artifacts for three types of CAN messages: CAN, DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) and DA (Diagnostic Address). This is for three different combine programs, with each having 4 to 12 control units, each with their own computer. Some of the change requests for CAN, DTC and DA are challenging, but normally the work flows is very good and high. 200 change requests are submitted and verified in a year's period. These all have varying degrees of difficulty. Work remotely with a team of 3 SW Systems Engineers who are collocated. Assigned to one SW Systems Engineer who serves as my mentor. The mentor is not my supervisor or manager, so the mentorship is purely technical. One on one OJT (On the Job Training) with mentor. We just had a major remodeling of the building which was done in conjunction with renewing the lease. The workers did major demolition work and frame work on weekends and when we were on break. Great working environment, especially now. Other people are happy with their work as I am. There are 3 dozen SW engineers and 7 support staff. Activities are planned during the work day so that peers do not just have a working relationship but also a social relationship.
Cons
Drive once a week, not every week, to where the SW Systems Engineers are. It does good to have some face time with them as well as other SW Engineers for whom the CAN database requests come from. Three hour commute during which work is not done, but this is paid time (as well as mileage). Work with remote SW Engineers in India as well. Have to contact them at the very beginning of my day. Of course this is prime time for them to be involved in meetings with the SW Team members who also need to communicate with them at that time as well. This is more an issue some of the time vs. all of the time. One on one mentorship is ad hoc and not scheduled. Some small things may take two months to learn.
