Pros
Working as a Research and Development Technician at Sensor Products suits me because it’s a hands-on job. No two days are the same, and I build, test, and troubleshoot prototypes with engineers who are at the top of their game. They actually listen to me, which is great. Because I work for a small company, I have been involved in everything from the initial conceptualization of projects to the final production, which has taught me a lot about how sensors are designed and made. My coworkers are friendly and always ready to assist; the pace is generally laid-back unless we are nearing a big deadline. The freedom to work independently without constantly being monitored or supervised by management is helpful.
Cons
The biggest drawback is there is no career progression. Because the company is small, you can’t really move up into a senior technician or engineering role unless someone leaves first. The salary is mediocre at best, and the 401k match and other benefits are not as good as a large company. Sometimes equipment in the labs is outdated or not enough and testing slows down and it forces me to think out of the box. Moreover, due to the absence of formal training programs, I have mostly learned by figuring things out myself.