Hi pidcon, I started working at Boeing as a contractor in 2012 as an electrical engineer on the Starliner project. I designed the switch electrical interfaces for the main console and when I was done with that, I caught the eye of the harness interface Lead, who hired me to do all of the wire harness interfaces and that lasted until October, 2016. I was picked up again in April, 2017, from a test group who needed wire harnesses done, and worked that until October 2018. Caught the eye of the manager for the Presidential Airplane wire harness implementation and started in February, 2019. Worked that until April 1, 2020 and was laid off because of all the Boeing problems, made complex by the corona virus. I am now unemployed, waiting for the next job...
With that said, I am 66 years old and I could retire, however, I am able and willing to work, but it is a bad market. I don't recommend contract work. I did try many times with Boeing managers to get on as a Boeing employee, but it never happened. The gaps above were unpaid gaps, so that is a big downside.