An EB Contracted Recruiting Firm found my resume on Monster.com. I was not actively looking for a new job but was open if a good opportunity presented itself. They asked me if I were open to relocating to Groton, CT. They asked me to put in an application at the EB website as a general applicant.
Due to a new project rollout, several departments needed engineers right away. So about two weeks after initial contact, I was contacted by EB HR and asked when I wanted to come in for an interview. I scheduled it about two weeks away and they said two departments were interested in meeting me.
I arrived the night before, with the airplane ticket, rental car, and hotel room all prepaid by Electric Boat. When I arrived in the morning I had to wait my turn to check into security. About 20-25 candidates were present, all interviewing for different positions in the same room. I received an interview packet and discovered I had an interview scheduled with three different groups.
Everyone took a tour of the shipyard located on the Groton location. Then we got bussed over to the former Pfizer offices on the New London side where the engineering buildings are. Did interview #1. It was with two people, one was negative and looked disinterested after a few questions, the other interviewer was more positive. The questions were mostly technical. Conversation exchange was mostly positive. (Did not get an offer with this group).
Did interview #2, with a single interviewer. Interview was more a personality check and openness for travel, no technical questions. Briefly brushed experiences on resume. Ate lunch with interviewer with the voucher provided by the Employment Office.
I was dropped off at the interview #3. I met my future boss. He stated that my experiences were good enough for any of his four groups which vary greatly in the skills required to be successful. We had a good conversation until the time to get on the 3PM shuttle arrived.
Shuttles run between the New London and Groton location at hour intervals so you can get stuck at one side or the other.
Parking is limited at site locations, however there are satellite parking locations. You will have to take a shuttle to either site.
Two of the three departments offered me a position with the same title and identical salary. My speculation is I would have received an offer from the third department if the offers from the other two were much lower.
Another note - wrote competitive offer for the salary I was seeking on interview feedback sheet at the end. EB responded with an offer after about three weeks. Figures were acceptable, but not a big enough increase for me to move to a higher cost of living and less desirable location. I asked for a higher offer based on the higher cost of living. I was asked how much I wanted. I stated my price. They responded 3 hours later with confirmation that the offer was changed to what I asked for.
Being prior military with an expired secret clearance, background check took less than a week.
Another note - If you are a single, heterosexual male looking to meet someone locally, this area may not be for you. It is full of families or single males. Although there are a lot of scenic views and things to do nature wise, the night life is a bit lacking. Traffic isn't bad during rush hour, people are friendly (not as friendly as "the South") and most of the towns/villages except New London and Groton are very rural using well water and septic systems.
The company offers core hours which is from 9AM to 3PM for M-F Day staff. It is up to you to put in the rest of your 2.5 hours however you want. 30 minute lunches in which you have to clock out and then back in.
The company's benefits are below average compared to other larger companies I have worked for.
There is a fitness center on site but using it during lunch is frowned upon.
There is no signing or relocation bonus. However they do offer a paid relocation service and relocation reimbursement.