[tonymet]

It's also important to understand the business of the industry that you are in.

Many are judgmental (even within this thread) of some companies not "valuing" software engineering. It's naive to compare social media companies that are making 70% topline margins to auto or airlines companies that are making ~ 15-20% . Of course one industry can hire more engineers, pay them better, give them more swag & benefits.

Even within companies, some product lines and functions will be receiving long term investment. Some product lines may be higher margin than others. There will be a big difference in the money available for software products depending on the budget.

I encourage engineers to consider their business' finances when thinking about their job. The company is not a charity or a church -- it's a business with cash flow, revenue & a long term strategy that all has to be balanced with the cost of building the product.