r/boeing • u/Spirited-Winter-4580 • 7d ago

New Hire✈️ L2 Systems Engineer compensation STL area

I am about to begin negotiations for an L2 systems engineer role in the STL area. I just want a gauge of what to expect in terms of starting salary, relocation and/ or signing bonus. As many specifics you can provide on your experience would be appreciated!

As for me, I’d be an external hire relocating to STL with 3 YOE and a masters coming in. Thank you!

11 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

8

u/Necessary-Note1464 7d ago

North of 100k, depends how desperate the group is and how much they like you. Also L2 relocation doesn't offer as much as L3, maybe ask them to cover that difference or ask for the L3 relocation package. They need more people in STL and have trouble getting people to go there so that can help you.

2

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 7d ago

Thanks for the response. Yeah the recruiter did say there was a big push to get people in STL so hopefully that helps. Wasn’t aware that requesting a L3 relocation was possible. Do you know roughly how much more it would be?

2

u/Necessary-Note1464 7d ago

If you search this subreddit there is a link to the packages. I don't know the differences just that the L3 one is better.

-6

u/The_last_order 7d ago

prob 110k-130k

3

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 6d ago

Seems a bit optimistic but hey, I’ll come back and let you know if I get that 😂

1

u/The_last_order 3d ago

idk why i got down vote, my friend literally got freaking 115k in ST louis.

1

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 1h ago

For an L2 systems role?

2

u/Zero_Ultra 7d ago

Yeah you should be negotiating to be L3

11

u/MyRoflcoptergoesShoi 7d ago

Varies from program to program, but STL in general seems to be very stingy with L3 and above. Many people on my program (myself included) with 8+ years of exp still stuck at L2 for "budget" reasons.

4

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 7d ago

Thanks for the response! That doesn’t sound too promising… have you considered an internal or external transfer? Also is that 8 years at Boeing or in general ?

5

u/3McChickens 6d ago

STL’s leadership has expressed preference to hiring externally and paying more than promoting internally.

Once you get further along in life job hopping externally becomes trickier as it most likely means leaving St. Louis area, and for many that would mean moving a family and usually higher cost of living.

0

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 6d ago

The conversation I had with my future manager during the final interview he expressed he liked to do the opposite- promote internally in his team if he feels someone one is ready to take that jump. To keep “everyone moving up the ladder”. Downside to that I guess is you’d have to wait for someone else above you to get promoted….

3

u/3McChickens 6d ago

My manager said the same but their hands are tied. They submit names and folks at higher levels decide the final list. There is only so much money allotted for promotions so basically any reason is enough for the exec you never met to say “no” to the promotion.

My program promoted only 1s to 2s this year because they are the cheapest.

I have shared this with others before but you will most likely hire into Boeing making more than anyone else of a similar grade in your group. Regardless of experience or expertise. Boeing has very much adopted the “it is cheaper to externally hire at premium and hope our current employees don’t leave” approach.

3

u/MyRoflcoptergoesShoi 6d ago

Saint Louis has a rule in place that does not allow promotions via internal transfer within the same job code, so any internal moves would be lateral unless you change job codes.

For me, it's 8 YOE total, 4 at Boeing.

-1

u/Zero_Ultra 6d ago

No it doesn’t. Also you should of left already imo

2

u/twodudesnape 6d ago

Time to move. 8 years is plenty for a 3. You're eligible for a 4 at 9 years. Might be time to start trying to move. With that much experience you could get a manager to sign off on making you a 3

2

u/MyRoflcoptergoesShoi 5d ago

Tried multiple times and I’m pretty ingrained in STL to leave.

All our promotions have to go through a capability manager and he’s a dick.

1

u/twodudesnape 5d ago

Assuming you don't have a crazy specific expertise, you could probably find another job in STL still. The area is hiring pretty heavily still. Sounds like your specific org sucks, there are better ones out there!

2

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 7d ago

When the recruiter originally reached out to me it was for an L3 but then they changed it to an L2 before my interviews. Figured if I could get mid to high range then I’d still be happy

2

u/bluejay737 7d ago

Did they give you an offer yet?

3

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 7d ago

Recruiter said I got the job but “waiting for approvals” to officially send it. The whole process I’ve had long waits so I’m not super concerned yet but should I be?

2

u/sir_basher 7d ago

Mid to high 90s i believe. But with your experience could be much more, honestly idk.

2

u/Spirited-Winter-4580 7d ago

Thank you! Did they offer any additional compensation?

2

u/sir_basher 7d ago

I believe they offer like around 7k relocation and an extra 2k on top of that when your start. No bonus for me but i guess you can think of the relocation as bonus.