AMZN L5 vs MSFT L63
Current offers: (1) MSFT L63 Data/Applied Scientist: $153k base, $70k RSU grant, $30k signon: TC $193k + $30k first year signon. (2) AMZN L5 Applied Scientist: $150k base, $100k/80k signon, 130 RSUs: TC $260k (first 2 years), $240k (next 2 years if no stock appreciation). My thoughts: - AMZN is coming in high enough that I need to consider them. - Slight preference for MSFT, but it's a wash. I like both managers and both teams. I like the job scope of either role also. - My personality is that I like things fast, I feel that this connects well with Amazon culture. But I also like to work in nice nontoxic environment that favors MSFT culture because of Bezos horror stories. I worked with toxic teams before and I'll take a pay cut just not to have that. - I can deal with stress and work pressure. I don't like dealing with toxic politics. Questions: - Can MSFT match AMZN? There's a good chance I will walk if no change. - Assuming MSFT can close the gap, but not match AMZN, what's the pros/cons? I'm literally split in the middle.... - What's the growth trajectory like? Can I hit AMZN L6 or MSFT L65 in 4 years if I perform?
$240k is L64 territory. Your base is over median for L63, so if you perform well, you can get promoted to L64 in 18 months. L64 to L65 is a tough promo. It takes a combination of skills, right projects, politicking and supportive management to get to L65. L5 to L6 will be equally difficult. I would personally pick Microsoft and try to negotiate more stocks.
Basically L5 and L63/64 are terminal positions in each organization?
Yeah.
Can you please help me understand what an applied scientist interview consists of?
Coding questions, ML questions, behavioral questions (leadership principles)
Thanks. What was ur previous job title? Just curious as I’ve done a bunch of courses now
Yes Microsoft can match that offer. Will they? It depends on what they think of you as a candidate. I've seen several l63 offers recently at 170/320/50. You also get yearly refresh stock and bonus which you are unlikely to get at Amazon unless the stock tanks. The above offer gives you > 300k TC for the 4 years not incl raises and promo but incl yearly bonus and stick at target. You may or may not get that high an offer but some people do.
People like who are coming in thinking Amazon is toxic, are making it more toxic. Amazon has become more toxic because of people who joined in last year or so.. I have been with Amazon for 6 years and it wasn’t this toxic. It’s the new people like who are coming in with little patience are making it. You need hell lot of patience to work in Amazon even though we are fast paced.
What you said made no sense at all... People like me don't want to work in a toxic environment. I've been in one before, it sucks big time. I'm just raising a well justified concern. Look all I'm saying is that if I join a company, I want to join it with my eyes open. No company is perfect, there's flaws and perks I can accept, as long as I walk in knowing that. And patience and fast pace is a paradox. Can you explain how that works?
Dude what a weird comment. Both Amazon and msft can be toxic. But maybe msft recently changed