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I have really mixed feelings about this. Not a fan of typical government jobs, but the FAQ reads so much more like a startup. Is it true? What does the compensation look like (broadly)?

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Per provided link https://www.usds.gov/apply: "Salaries in government change every year. For 2023, you may be paid up to $183,500 depending on where you are located in the United States."

The federal government pays pretty well for scientists and engineers.

I've got a few friends at JPL and they are paid around that.

I was a researcher under UC Regents many years ago, run by the state of California. That pay, however, was terrible. When I left for private industry I asked for double what I had been making and they considered me a bargain.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the pay can also be considerably higher if you work at a federally funded research lab but are not a direct federal employee. Employee of an implementing contractor company. Such as various positions at Hanford, Idaho National Lab, Los Alamos, Brookhaven, Argonne, Sandia, Livermore, etc.

This is definitely true. Most employees at national labs are not paid according to the GS schedule.

They are also not federal employees.

they should hook up military discounts

Eeeh, not really, no it doesn't lol.

Not compared to what private companies could be paying them.

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