Job Options for software engineer

Question

Which one of the options would an engineer prefer: 1. $600K/yr FAANG (50% cash, 50% RSU) 2. $600K/yr FAANG (100% cash) 3. $700K/yr non-FAANG (100% cash)NOTE: I work at a FAANG co now and I can tell you that the learning experience can be hit or miss in FAANG (so, 3. is not as bad as it sounds).I am not trying to decide my next job, but I see a lot of co-workers obsess about RSUs in FAANG (when they can be brought in open market).

askafriend · Accepted Answer

I would choose #1 if I believed in the company (FAANG tends to be a sure bet in terms of growth). By the time RSUs vest they could be worth substantially more. This is assuming that you're awarded a set # of RSUs rather than a dollar amount pegged to the price of the stock at the time they vest. The details of vesting matter here.
If you're unsure or feel uncomfortable with the risk, then the all-cash option (#2) would be better.
As for option #3, it would really depend on the specific company - difficult to evaluate without knowing. It's hard to know if taking a bet on a non-FAANG company's stock is a good idea without an understanding of what space they're in, what stage they're at, etc.

demygale · Answer

These numbers seem&hellip;high.

decafninja · Answer

Really curious as to #3 - what kind of company would pay SWEs this much. Algo trading shops?I'm assuming #2 is Netflix.

matt_s · Answer

Option 4: work outside silicon valley with very comfortable salary and much lower cost of living.

dyeje · Answer

This is what Blind is for.

ElectricMind · Answer

You have a good dilemma at hand. I mean it is good dilemma to have :)

deanmoriarty · Answer

I went with #3

b20000 · Answer

what is your job title/level and what do you work on?