[malandrew]

Huh? You'd probably have to deal with the same bullshit as he has to deal with in finance.

If you really love software engineering, there is no better path to happiness at work than working somewhere where technology is the core business and not just a supporting business.

A company who does government technology contracting work's core business/competency isn't really technology, but the ability to win contracts by meeting all the requirements, knowing the right people, knowing how to work the bidding process, etc. Software engineering and tech are merely incidental.