I also had a good experience as a research software engineer. Tons of autonomy and fun work. Reasonable expectations and no overwork. But it was barely a job, I got paid like a tenth of what I make in industry. Once I saw the kinds of offers friends were getting, I was out.

(My research institute didn’t have a concept of “research software engineer” so I was paid as a generic research assistant.)

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.

Lets be honest. Searching for https://hn.algolia.com/?q=burnout in hn shows so many people suffering from burnouts working in industry.

My SO is a research software engineer.

1. As you say, she doesn't build ad-ware and do take pride... 2. relaxed and convenient job timings 3. In EU - close to 31 days paid + usually Professors are very generous about going home early etc... 4. Pension, unions, unlimited contracts 5. No one gives a shit when github/gitlab/heroku loses credentials on a Easter weekend. (We were in roadtrip) - chill life.

Obviously "research" and "industry" are not monolithic entities. It's possible to have a relaxing and fulfilling and balanced work environment in industry too.

I was also very surprised by the micromanagement comments. I have seen much more the opposite end of things (in particular with PhD students), which is not enough management guidance. I know that none of the academics I know would have time (and interest) to micromanage their PhD students, let alone a software engineer working on some software for the group.

I no longer do so, but I was also an RSE (Senior Faculty Research Assistant) for 13 years with a large university, and loved it. Pay was not great great, but just fine all things considered. I respected the PIs I worked for and they respected me. I was constantly learning new, interesting scientific things as I'd work with new and evolving projects. I even got my name on papers even though I didn't even know I could be a co-author.

I also did a couple years at a university as a research software engineer and my experience matches yours.