[prpl]

I kind of alluded to this, but my experience was slightly similar.

B.S. in Physics (w/ years of significant undergrad research), but worked with PhDs+ in national lab scenario. At some point everybody assumes you have an PhD.

Little to no micromanagement. It was more professional scenario.

IMO an RSE at a mid-ranked state school hired by a PI and embedded into a research group, compared to an RSE at a top-tier research University - at a lab or institute that employs many engineers, they will have vastly different experiences and probably pay as well. There's exceptions to the rule, but this is generally my experience.

There's a good chunk of both jobs, but I would not work the former.