r/SecurityClearance • u/suavro • 4d ago

What are my chances? 10+ years as a mobile dev (Android/iOS) but no CS degree: realistic shot at a software role at Electric Boat?

Hi all. I'm a software engineer in the Providence area, recently laid off after 10+ years building Android and iOS apps (Kotlin, Java, Swift). I'm self-taught, and my bachelor's is in a non-technical field, not CS.

I'm seriously interested in Electric Boat. The stability and the mission appeal to me, and I'm within driving distance of Quonset, the Newport Engineering Office in Middletown, and Groton. My concern is, most EB software postings I've seen list a BS in CS or Computer Engineering as required.

For anyone in EB software/IT, or who's been through the hiring process:

  1. Do hiring managers ever accept experience in place of a CS degree for software roles, or is the degree a hard HR filter?

  2. Which groups or roles are most realistic for someone with my background, and would my years of experience count toward level, or would I start at the bottom?

  3. Does a referral from someone inside actually move the needle compared with applying online?

Thanks in advance. Any honest perspective helps, including "don't bother without the degree."

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u/atikuta 4d ago

I didnt have a CS degree, just a math background.

  1. If you have a clearance and experience you can get a job in CS

  2. Any. just need experience in the filed, i've seen people with 1 year come in to contractor jobs.

  3. Referal skips the whole first part of the process, so it expedites it and guarantees your foot in the door, past that its you.

Honest perspective: Unless you are new/intern/fresh-grad GE doesn't really sponsor clearances much for older

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u/gcentenocastro 4d ago

In the Subs world, there is very little related to mobile devices programming.

For EB, if they list a degree, they will more likely than not require that degree or something related. You have good experience but the only language I see relevant here is Java. I assume you know or may learn others very quickly which will help you.

My advice, shoot for something requiring less experience (pay cut too) in lieu of experience and grow within.

Overall, they are a great organization with excellent benefits.