I retired precisely a year ago at 57, I took early retirement because I have young children, and did not want them to be down a parent. I am grateful that I had a opportunity to work at such a high level research institute. My spouse still works at the lab, not all the conditions are the same throughout PNNL and I was quite happy in research. It turned into a "insert favorite negative here" when they integrated the department I was in, into the business side of the lab. Your work can be great and contributing and I was quite happy for almost 10 years, my wife is still quite happy at PNNL. I have worked at many hi-tech company almost all are ones you heard of the last is not a opinion of someone who is new in the work environment.