Pros
* Newly-hired local managers, and experienced managers imported from other sites, have consistently high levels of motivation, and technical and people skills. * Upcoming reorganizations and/or realignments may fix issues that are listed in Cons. * Brain drain after Mercury takeover of Torrance-based Physical Optics Corporation (POC) in 2021 left a vacuum that new hires can fill. * Fast pace results in lots of great experience for a resume. * Future of Mercury, including Torrance, could be very bright
Cons
* Real problems with local managers who stayed after Mercury takeover. Training and mentoring for management was not a priority. * Questions for new hire candidates to avoid bad managers: 1) Ask each project manager and functional manager what they do 2) Ask each project manager and functional manager what their turnover rate is 3) Ask if you can talk to one or more non-management people privately and one-on-one as part of your interview. If not, the answers to the first questions #1 and #2 are probably unreliable so run. 4) Ask at least one non-management person questions #1 and #2, and compare answers. If the answers are seriously incomplete or inconsistent, then run. 5) Ask at least one non-management person what they think of each project manager and functional manager. Watch for destructive leaders, and absentee leaders, in the stories your interviewers will volunteer.