PREMISE: similar questions have been asked in the field of software engineering, but I work in a more niche area (software engineering applied to aerospace) where is more difficult to find people with understanding of both software and aerospace engineering.
I am working in a software engineering company in a country where you get tax exemptions in the first five years spent as resident. The offer I got here is not as competitive as in other countries, but this is offset by fiscal exemptions.
I knew this when I accepted, but there were other things which I am learning now as I am spending time here.
The main problem is, as I am finding out from elder colleagues, that the salary increases over these five years are less than the decrease I am going to experience at the end of the exemptions.
I am also learning, always from my coworkers, that promotions and salary increases are tied quite rigidly on the number of years spent at the company, and not much influenced by performance and previous experience. For example, entry level salary is the same whether you have a PhD in computer science/software engineering or a MSc. As a further example, senior employees involved into several projects are paid the same employees who barely show up at the workplace and work on fewer projects (I know everyone’s approx salary and projects because our manager share budget info with us). Same thing from other factors such as networking.
Furthermore, management positions seem to be precluded to people with a technical background: all managers have MBAs or a legal background. This is slowing down even further promotion opportunities as there is this sort of formal ceiling for technical staff.
Therefore, not only I am feeling like on a dead end, but I know already that in a few years I will likely make less than now, which is not really good for my morale.
My question is: would it feel acceptable (especially for perspective employers) if I start job hunting now (I have been here for 15 months)? Or should I start at the end of the five-year exemption even if I see better openings?