I've been at my new job for 3 weeks now. Went from 70k as Network Implementation Engineer with insane amount of work like 140+ ticket for each engineer that include these:
• configuring SQL server with various CAD vendors
• writing SQL queries for 911 & troubleshooting network related issues with SQL
• troubleshooting firewalls/switches
• managing IoTs
• troubleshooting docker containers
• configuring/troubleshooting every camera/NVR/VMS brand on earth
• working with FFMPEG and knowledge of transcoding
• implementing/configuring/managing/troubleshooting various APIs
• troubleshooting SSL/VPN/HTTPS/RTSP/ONVIF and more
• NMAP/Wireshark knowledge
• Linux CLI/Linux network troubleshooting
• discovery calls with law enforcement/IT explaining network topologies
• being a subject matter expert
• and just a shit ton more with on calls every 7 days and doing health report on these on calls that take around 5h+
• answering phone calls, resolving tickets
• 9pm-6pm
•FE/BE UI is shit, laggy. I submitted over 40 tickets for enhancements/automation and only 2 in 2 years were implemented…
• department needs about 8 more people to handle the workload because company grows insanely fast
all this to 90k +10% annual bonus as Network/Video Engineer with good career growth within the company, my responsibilities:
• Network/technical reference for a support team
• standardize procedures/making documents
• making network topology diagrams
• 8pm-4pm
• no phone calls, no tickets
• no on calls, ever
We had a very nice team in our department, and this is what mostly keeps people there, but we all talked during breaks/after work and in private Slack how we want to leave. Well, I made the first move…
When I said I am leaving the management was shocked…when asked how much I got offered they were shocked even more. I was in Tier 3a (1-3 Tiers with subs of a-b-c). I was underpaid badly and everyone and our department are. We lacked people that why this insane amount of work with crazy number of tickets. Management called us “helpdesk” I told them many times we are not doing anything remotely close to a “helpdesk” this is network support at least.
1st day when I sent my resignation letter COO called me said “what if I counteroffer” I told him, no I want to leave for a new opportunity. Next day he called asked “I can match 90k and give you last tier, no on calls, you help us improve our UI and work with CTO to move your enhancement requests into production” – he caught me off-guard with that one, I said I need to sleep with that and let him know tomorrow. I knew in my heart I got to run. Next day (Saturday) called and said no. He said, “You are telling there is absolutely nothing I can do to make you stay, your whole department and all PMs are telling me to not let you go”. In the end we had a long conversation in the office next week, I laid him out the issues, what needs to be fixed and said I appreciate all the experience I got and wish them the best. Then CEO came into an office and said “if things go south, remember our doors are always opened for you with 90k, everybody liked you and I am sorry we @#$# UP. Just so, you know we are hiring 3 more people because of your leave. I am sorry we didn't listen to you“. I told them since I am leaving the morale of the department will be pretty bleak, as of now for an immediate remedy they need to bump their pay.
After my leave they bumped everyone's pay by 8-10%, and Tier 2-3 are no longer on call/doing health repots but escalations.
I lost 2 days of remote work, but I cannot be happier at this place. I can now focus on studying for certifications to advance my career.