Hello, I have some questions which I hope some of you guys will respond to... [1] If you were looking for a job as a software engineer working with signal processing algorithms (audio or video), would you rather work on the east coast or the west coast when it comes to work environment? Why? I heard that the work environment is more laid-back on the west coast. [2] A lot of the signal processing jobs on the east coast require that the applicant has a security clearance. As far as I understand you have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. So I guess I - as a non U.S. citizen - am excluded from applying to those type of jobs? [3] Do you know or have you heard about what it is like working for these DoD contractors as a software engineer? [4] I haven't really been able to find any jobs in the Washington DC Metro area which are within my "circle of interest" (audio or video applications/algorithms, signal processing) without there being some sort of security clearance requirement. Aren't there any companies in the Washington DC Metro area (or bordering states) which deals with audio/video apps, signal processing etc. ? I mean: companies which produce apps involving audio/video algorithms for the general public (for example: a company which produces 3D PC games). Happy New Year....and thanks!
Signal Processing, Work environment, Security Clearance, East Coast vs West Coast (USA)
Started by ●December 28, 2009
Reply by ●December 28, 20092009-12-28
On Dec 28, 9:28�am, "John" <J...@yabadabadooo.com> wrote:> Hello, > > I have some questions which I hope some of you guys will respond to... > > [1] If you were looking for a job as a software engineer working with signal > processing algorithms (audio or video), > would you rather work on the east coast or the west coast when it comes to > work environment? �Why? > > I heard that the work environment is more laid-back on the west coast. > > [2] A lot of the signal processing jobs on the east coast require that the > applicant has a security clearance. As far as I > understand you have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. So > I guess I - as a non U.S. citizen - am excluded from applying to those > type of jobs? > > [3] Do you know or have you heard about what it is like working for these > DoD contractors as a software engineer? > > [4] I haven't really been able to find any jobs in the Washington DC Metro > area which are within my "circle of interest" (audio > or video applications/algorithms, signal processing) without there being > some sort of security clearance requirement. > > Aren't there any companies in the Washington DC Metro area (or bordering > states) which deals with audio/video apps, signal processing etc. ? > > I mean: companies which produce apps involving audio/video algorithms for > the general public (for example: a company which > produces 3D PC games). > > Happy New Year....and thanks!When looking at places to live there are many considerations. Do you have children, then you have to worry about the quality of the local schools. I don't think of it as a East vs West sort of thing, but rather or not you want to live in a highly taxed area with a high cost of living. e.g., how far will your paycheck's post tax dollars go? States like CA and NY have been bleeding away people since the cost of living/taxes are crazy high! Some states don't high state income taxes like TX and FL. Also you have to consider do you want to get a house and have a bunch of land. I.e., do the property tax rates for the area of interest matter much to you? Sounds like the security clearance will be difficult but not impossible to obtain. That will depend on your background and how easy it is for the authorities to verify. good luck, Clay
Reply by ●December 28, 20092009-12-28
On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:28:07 +0100, "John" <John@yabadabadooo.com> wrote:>[1] If you were looking for a job as a software engineer working with signal >processing algorithms (audio or video), >would you rather work on the east coast or the west coast when it comes to >work environment? Why?There are 3000 miles of USA in between the east coast and the west coast (plus Alaska and Hawaii, but they aren't known as signal processing hot spots). Why limit yourself to the coasts? The culture in the east is noticeably different than that in the west, but it is fundamentally all "American".>[2] A lot of the signal processing jobs on the east coast require that the >applicant has a security clearance. As far as I >understand you have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. So >I guess I - as a non U.S. citizen - am excluded from applying to those >type of jobs?If you look through the current signal processing job openings, you will find that a significant number of them require a security clearance, whether east coast or west coast. That's just the way the job market is in the US right now. Many of the non-defense jobs have been outsourced. I do not know the specific rules regarding noncitizens -- it may depend upon where you come from -- but if you cannot obtain a clearance (or choose not to, perhaps for reasons of conscience), then you may have to take whatever else you can get wherever you can get it.>[3] Do you know or have you heard about what it is like working for these >DoD contractors as a software engineer?It's like working for any other company, just a bit more bureaucratic because of the government rules and regulations.>[4] I haven't really been able to find any jobs in the Washington DC Metro >area which are within my "circle of interest" (audio >or video applications/algorithms, signal processing) without there being >some sort of security clearance requirement. > >Aren't there any companies in the Washington DC Metro area (or bordering >states) which deals with audio/video apps, signal processing etc. ?There are companies everywhere that do everything -- it's a big country. The real issue is whether they're hiring. Just keep searching the job Websites and open up your geographic preferences. And remember: you're competing with a lot of unemployed American engineers, so you're already at a disadvantage. Greg
Reply by ●December 28, 20092009-12-28
John wrote:> Hello, > > I have some questions which I hope some of you guys will respond to... > > [1] If you were looking for a job as a software engineer working with > signal processing algorithms (audio or video), > would you rather work on the east coast or the west coast when it comes > to work environment? Why?Why would you like to live at east or west coast? Cram, dirt, crowds, traffic jams, insane costs, regulations on everything.> I heard that the work environment is more laid-back on the west coast.I'd avoid such broad generalizations. It depends.> [2] A lot of the signal processing jobs on the east coast require that > the applicant has a security clearance. As far as I > understand you have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. > So I guess I - as a non U.S. citizen - am excluded from applying to those > type of jobs?If you are US citizen is the first question that they ask.> [3] Do you know or have you heard about what it is like working for > these DoD contractors as a software engineer?Again, it depends. Usually big company is like where Dilbert works; however, there are exceptions.> [4] I haven't really been able to find any jobs in the Washington DC > Metro area which are within my "circle of interest" (audio > or video applications/algorithms, signal processing) without there being > some sort of security clearance requirement. > > Aren't there any companies in the Washington DC Metro area (or bordering > states) which deals with audio/video apps, signal processing etc. ? > > I mean: companies which produce apps involving audio/video algorithms > for the general public (for example: a company which > produces 3D PC games).Could you tell more about your background and interests? VLV
Reply by ●December 28, 20092009-12-28
> > Could you tell more about your background and interests?I have a M.Sc. EE degree with specialization in signal processing. I have 5+ years of experience coding in C. I am spending what ever time I have available to learn C#.NET. I have 10+ years of experience with MATLAB. I would say that I have a natural talent for mathematics - also got high grades to prove it :o) My interests include: - audio processing algorithms (speech enhancement, noise reduction, source separation etc) - video processing algorithms - mathematics (and to some or lesser degree physics) - pattern recognition - developing apps which are based on mathematical models and/or involve mathematical concepts - financial apps (prediction, analysis, price models) - self-regulating/adaptive systems - "cognitive" systems (robotics, neural networks etc) - games, 3D graphics, game engines The job I am looking for is a job where I can apply my creativity, analytical abilities and knowledge about math/programming. I find it very rewarding to come up with new and interesting ideas, solve technical problems etc. I am married and I have 2 kids (<4 years old). I read that VA has top schools and that it is a nice place for a family to grow up. On the other hand, my research so far indicates that all the nice jobs are on the west coast.
Reply by ●December 28, 20092009-12-28
In johns case, it can depend on what country he's from. There are noticeably friendly countries such as the U.K. or Australia which are easier to work with a Dod affiliated company. yes, U.S. citizenship is the most desirable. If you have a native country clearance, you could be exchanged to the U.S. But clearly you don't at this time. he's spot on about the available jobs in the D.C. area. I've worked around there for 30 years, but haven't had a real DoD affiliated job yet. The commercial hardware and software has mostly disappeared, as John observed. And a Masters degree is becoming more of a requirement. All the west coast people I've met have a better attitude. They do visit out here on occasion. East Coast is more person to person competitive, and can grind you down. Working in "small town" America CAN be very good. BUT - the tech field corps are often "we've got you and there's no place else in this town to go, so work harder." When you interview, carefully look at and talk to the other employees and ask around if you can. I've worked out of town on a couple of jobs so I know how it can be. and yes, some of it depends on the normal things, like how specialized you want to be, next education level, and other career goals. If you're young, do whatever it takes to find a quality mentored position. I'd work for a year at half pay if I could find the right mentor for the right DSP project. HTH, Walt...> >John wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> I have some questions which I hope some of you guys will respond to... >> >> [1] If you were looking for a job as a software engineer working with >> signal processing algorithms (audio or video), >> would you rather work on the east coast or the west coast when it comes>> to work environment? Why? > >Why would you like to live at east or west coast? Cram, dirt, crowds, >traffic jams, insane costs, regulations on everything. > >> I heard that the work environment is more laid-back on the west coast. > >I'd avoid such broad generalizations. It depends. > >> [2] A lot of the signal processing jobs on the east coast require that>> the applicant has a security clearance. As far as I >> understand you have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain a securityclearance.>> So I guess I - as a non U.S. citizen - am excluded from applying tothose>> type of jobs? > >If you are US citizen is the first question that they ask. > >> [3] Do you know or have you heard about what it is like working for >> these DoD contractors as a software engineer? > >Again, it depends. Usually big company is like where Dilbert works; >however, there are exceptions. > >> [4] I haven't really been able to find any jobs in the Washington DC >> Metro area which are within my "circle of interest" (audio >> or video applications/algorithms, signal processing) without therebeing>> some sort of security clearance requirement. >> >> Aren't there any companies in the Washington DC Metro area (orbordering>> states) which deals with audio/video apps, signal processing etc. ? >> >> I mean: companies which produce apps involving audio/video algorithms >> for the general public (for example: a company which >> produces 3D PC games). > >Could you tell more about your background and interests? > >VLV >
Reply by ●December 28, 20092009-12-28
John, You have some of the right concerns. I'd shift focus a bit however: 1) How desperate are you for a job? That could trump all other considerations. If rather desperate then my advice would be: *Find the market*!! Even better advice might be: *Find the companies*. Then: *Find the companies of interest that are hiring*. While there are some jobs here and there scattered across the country, it's more likely to find jobs where the universities and technologies are clustered. Route 128 in Boston Silicon Valley / around San Francisco LA Dallas Seattle Portland Well, any of the big cities on the West Coast are possible targets. LA and San Diego have been more aerospace and defense oriented than Silicon Valley. Seattle is a mix. Dallas is a mix. Portland is more like Silicon Valley in that regard. Around Washington, D.C. it's pretty much government-driven business and in signal processing likely to require security clearances. So, that's what you're seeing there. 2) If not so desperate for a job and willing to be picky you might spend more time researching areas to live. To be honest I've enjoyed living all those places. Traffic has become an issue in some of them. I'd expect salaries to fairly well reflect the local tax structure - but, as you likely know, salaries vary anyway. I would not ignore video oriented companies like RGB Spectrum, Faroudja, etc. In my experience the full-time signal processing jobs are university labs and defense oriented companies where the jobs are defined around technologies and not so much around products - where lots of analysis and engineering is being done. Elsewhere there may be 1 (ONE) guru who likely spends time on other things much of the time and others who dabble from time to time. One might ask: What does an applications engineer at TI do all day? How many such jobs are there? etc. Fred
Reply by ●December 29, 20092009-12-29
On Dec 28, 3:06�pm, Fred Marshall <fmarshallx@remove_the_xacm.org> wrote:> John, > > You have some of the right concerns. �I'd shift focus a bit however: > > 1) How desperate are you for a job? �That could trump all other > considerations. �If rather desperate then my advice would be: > *Find the market*!! > > Even better advice might be: *Find the companies*. > Then: *Find the companies of interest that are hiring*. > > While there are some jobs here and there scattered across the country, > it's more likely to find jobs where the universities and technologies > are clustered. > > Route 128 in Boston > Silicon Valley / around San Francisco > LA > Dallas > Seattle > Portland > > Well, any of the big cities on the West Coast are possible targets. > > LA and San Diego have been more aerospace and defense oriented than > Silicon Valley. > Seattle is a mix. > Dallas is a mix. > Portland is more like Silicon Valley in that regard. > > Around Washington, D.C. it's pretty much government-driven business and > in signal processing likely to require security clearances. �So, that's > what you're seeing there. > > 2) �If not so desperate for a job and willing to be picky you might > spend more time researching areas to live. �To be honest I've enjoyed > living all those places. �Traffic has become an issue in some of them. > I'd expect salaries to fairly well reflect the local tax structure - > but, as you likely know, salaries vary anyway. > > I would not ignore video oriented companies like RGB Spectrum, Faroudja, > etc. > >Also checkout Broadcom and GI (for now Motorola) in San Diego.. Mark
Reply by ●December 30, 20092009-12-30
On Dec 29, 10:05�pm, Mark <makol...@yahoo.com> wrote:> On Dec 28, 3:06�pm, Fred Marshall <fmarshallx@remove_the_xacm.org> > wrote: > > > > > John, > > > You have some of the right concerns. �I'd shift focus a bit however: > > > 1) How desperate are you for a job? �That could trump all other > > considerations. �If rather desperate then my advice would be: > > *Find the market*!! > > > Even better advice might be: *Find the companies*. > > Then: *Find the companies of interest that are hiring*. > > > While there are some jobs here and there scattered across the country, > > it's more likely to find jobs where the universities and technologies > > are clustered. > > > Route 128 in Boston > > Silicon Valley / around San Francisco > > LA > > Dallas > > Seattle > > Portland > > > Well, any of the big cities on the West Coast are possible targets. > > > LA and San Diego have been more aerospace and defense oriented than > > Silicon Valley. > > Seattle is a mix. > > Dallas is a mix. > > Portland is more like Silicon Valley in that regard. > > > Around Washington, D.C. it's pretty much government-driven business and > > in signal processing likely to require security clearances. �So, that's > > what you're seeing there. > > > 2) �If not so desperate for a job and willing to be picky you might > > spend more time researching areas to live. �To be honest I've enjoyed > > living all those places. �Traffic has become an issue in some of them. > > I'd expect salaries to fairly well reflect the local tax structure - > > but, as you likely know, salaries vary anyway. > > > I would not ignore video oriented companies like RGB Spectrum, Faroudja, > > etc. > > Also checkout Broadcom and GI (for now Motorola) in San Diego.. > > Mark- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text -The great thing about VA (DSP is mostly in Northern VA, outside of Washington DC) is the abundance of jobs, most of which require citizenship, and really high clearances, but hardly any are in audio). A couple of years ago, Loudoun county had the highest median income of any county in the US. Fairfax county was in the top two counties in the nation for a long time. The bad thing about VA is the lack of uncleared jobs, the really high real estate prices, the traffic (i.e. length of commute), the overal stress level, and the lack of friendliness as compared to some other parts of the country. All of this contributes to what I think (40+ years of experience, I moved here as a kid in '67 and stayed because my kids were here) is a surprisingly low QUALITY of life at a high price. My advice would be to skip VA, in spite of all of the nice (but not true) things said on Yahoo about what sound like nice little towns in Northern VA. These towns are really fairly continguous urban sprawl from DC. That is my opinion, Dirk
Reply by ●December 30, 20092009-12-30
John wrote:>> > I have a M.Sc. EE degree with specialization in signal processing. > I have 5+ years of experience coding in C.What makes you European folks seek job outside of EU? (Sometimes I am thinking of moving to some place in Europe, just to live there for a long enough time to understand what is the real life in there). VLV
