Pros
- exposure to numerous government agencies and research institutes - wide range of instrumentation training and use - 50/50 split between lab work (DOE, data collection, building apparatuses etc.) and office work (data processing, presentation, technical report writing etc.) - network builder - practice of non-research-related skills such as interfacing with vendors, shipping and receiving of samples, ordering parts, buying instruments from sales reps etc - multidisciplinary projects worked A-Z for excellent big picture experience beyond the day to day tasks - ability to publish research work - some supervisors are highly qualified, very passionate, proven scientific people that are excellent to work for
Cons
- sometimes straining work environment - generally a lack of hands to produce top quality work consistently - excellent career experience for 1-2 years but a tough outlook beyond that - nepotism - great medical and dental but no bonuses, 401K, or financial incentives for engineers - upper management does not always set a professional example - upper management seems unmotivated to grow the company... content with keeping it where it is - very difficult to implement changes to the status quo of things. upper management does not take kindly to suggestions from engineers