I am new hire SDE 2 with 230k TC in Seattle. I have 5 YOE and PhD in CS. What would be the best direction for me after 2-3 years. Assuming there might be a TC cliff after the second year if I remain in this L5 level. I care more about my TC in long term.
Become a manager, get promo, then switch out again
I don’t really like managing other people
SDE3, or L6 pays more. So whatever you need to do to get a promotion will get you more TC. L5 AS is not a promotion. But if it helps you enjoy your job more and makes you more successful...
If ML is what you want to do. Beef up your skills and jump to another FANG. Easiest path to get promoted and change course.
L6 SDE is a far more supported career at Amazon than applied scientist. Amazon culturally doesn't know how to build research orgs because all the managers treat them like SDE orgs and it fails. Speaking from direct personal experience and the experience of many talented friends.
Given that TC is your first priority, unless you are dead set on staying in Seattle, I’d recommend moving to NY and joining a firm involved in prop trading — e.g. D. E. Shaw & Co. They pay their developers and quants handsomely and value academic qualifications — like a Ph.D. — a lot.
More than $300-400k? Cause OP next move to senior will give him that.
2sigma can easily pay more than 300-400k
Don't bother with l5 applied scientist. Other l5 roles at Amazon are their way of saying they are promoting you without really promoting you. Either get to l6 or jump ship.