Stop using job titles as a recruitment tool.
Pros
Good benefits. Has a gym and fresh food in the cafeteria.
Cons
They redesigned the definition of “Principle Engineer”. It used to be in any technical group there would be one or maybe two Principle Engineers that are masters of their specific craft. Principle Engineers define technical road maps, they are leaders that set an example for others to follow. But, Collins Aerospace doesn’t use the word “Principal” correctly. I accepted a position thinking that I would finally be in a leadership position, a chance to make a difference with my experience. A chance to increase productivity, increase quality and lower costs. I have so many great ideas and I thought I would be one step closer to being a Fellow. Only to find out that here “Principle” is just a fancy way of saying Senior Engineer level 3 or 4. You get reprimanded for acting like a principal engineer regardless of having the title. Principle engineers should be making documentation and presentations describing the technology of the group and helping less experienced engineers, laying the ground work for a technical roadmap with one, three, and five year plans. Setting an example for others. It feels dirty and it feels like an intentional manipulation to hire people thinking that they are climbing a corporate ladder when in that just isn’t realistic. Getting the title of Principle in name only, without any benefits or respect feels hollow. I’m now working a meaningless position. My last job I quit was so much more challenging, rewarding, and had better pay than my current Principle position. I feel tricked because they gave me a meaningless title of Principle with the false hope of a career path to a Fellow position. After 10,000 hours of hands-on work most are masters in their craft and in engineering usually called Principle? What the heck is a Senior Principle engineer? The only time I have ever heard of a Sr. Principle was when the company didn’t have a fellowship program. But, this company has Fellows and Sr. Fellows? It feels like HR is making up job titles to intentionally trick people into applying. Had I known that Principle Engineer meant senior engineer I would have never applied. I work with multiple principle engineers and none of them would know how to properly function as a Principle Engineer at any other company.
