The least risky way is to join a pre-IPO, VC funded company after it's at least past Series D round, and get a significant equity package that is equivalent to at least 2-3x the same pay at a FAANG company.
Then be patient, wait for an IPO or acquisition. Note this could be years. And during that time you won't get any liquidity (like a FAANG employee would).
Depending on length of time, this could result in several years of above market pay (through stock which continues to vest post exit), or a one time big payout that averages to more than $1MM/year. Note that depending on tax treatment (ISO versus RSU), that could reduce your after tax payout.
Other options would include starting a company or joining even earlier stage (before the Series C). But then the time horizon for an exit can go up, and the risk also increases as many times the equity gets heavily diluted or the cap table is adjusted significantly to make room for later stage investors.
Many people don't want to work for them, or in adtech (e.g. F,G) or generally for evil companies. HFT has been called "automated stealing", and it's hard to argue it's not.
Don't listen to them. If you want to make such a big salary, you simply cannot be an employee. A human being doesn't have the skills required to produce that much money in a year, let alone convince a company so they pay you that salary.
Your best bet is making a company, creating something with a lot of value, and then either selling it or receive some income from it.
Keep in mind that the money wont be there at the start, but after a few years, 1 million or even several is a real possibility.
- Join FAANG at L7+, or L6 and wait a couple years for your grant to hopefully appreciate.
- Join a pre-IPO (2-3 years out) unicorn as a rank-and-file senior engineer.
- Join an earlier stage startup.
Start-ups are places where options MIGHT get you that income IF the startup succeeds.
You can also try your own start-up. The least you need is a high drive to succeed. Everyone you bring in should be at the same level.
1)Find an area that still needs specialized software that can improve efficiency by at least 10x. 15 years ago I knew of someone that targeted mortgage software. He's now a millionaire.
2)Educate yourself in every aspect of the area that you want to target.
3)Find a nontechnical partner that fills the areas where you are weak.
4)Start a business in the area where the software is the differentiator
5)Create a MVP and show that it can be a driver to profits
6)Look for investors and ride the wave to riches
Lastly, in time inflation will drive salaries up so there will be a time where that salary will be common. It's way in the future.
Work as a Principal Engineer for Roblox.[0]
[0] https://www.levels.fyi/leaderboard/Principal-Engineer/countr...
Join a company that’s clearly on route to IPO but 2+ years out. (Stripe 2 years ago, AirBnB 4 years ago, Snowflake 1-2 years ago.)
Work at or start a pre series A company that gets acquired by a FANMG. Typically, they are building a product that’s best suited as part of the offering of the acquirer.
Enter as L7, or machine learning specialist.