Are Google Engg Prod SWEs the same as Google Product SWEs?
Recently, I interviewed with the Google Engineering Productivity team and got the offer for L5. My questions are, 1. Are the Engg Prod SWEs considered the same as the Product team SWEs? 2. Are the compensation structure, in general, different between the Engg Prod SWEs and product SWEs? The initial offer seemed like a low ball offer. 160k/15% target bonus/250kRSUs(for 4 years). Is this because it is a Engg Prod role? 3. In the future, if I decide to move to a product team(same team/ different team), do I need to interview again? 4. In the future, If I decide to move to a different company, would it be difficult to be considered to Product development SWE roles? Current Level: MSFT L63 YOE: 7 years TC:220k
Formally (compensation, ladder, level) there’s no difference and you can freely transfer to other SWE position. In my experience though just by team affiliation it’s a rather restricted position: mostly writing test frameworks for other engineers. It’s also rumored that it’s harder to transfer out.
Was previously known as SETI which was a different ladder. (Also EngProd still had SWEs) but they merged seti to swe recently. Only hear rumors that transferring is harder but pretty sure with EE/SEE, you will be fine.
Sorry, what is a EE/SEE? you means Software Engr/Senior Software Engr? Also, when you say 'transferring', I am assuming within Google? I thought the process to move to a different team was much easier. As long as there is an open position in the team, you have spoken to the appropriate manager of the team and the manager is ok with the move, shouldn't it be an easy move? Can the manager reject someone who is willing to move teams? How often does something like that happen?
EE -> Exceeds Expectations and SEE > Strongly Exceeds Expectations. These are rating for performance. Yes the process is very easy once you are here for a year or more, the hardest part is finding a manager who will take you.
1: sort of. It’s the same job title but you’ll be working on internal tools, test automation, etc. But Google is pretty flexible and you may get to choose your own projects if you are lucky and your manager is chill. 2: The same comp structure. Is this Bay Area? Major lowball if so. 3: No, but you need special approval to transfer before 1 year. 4: Maybe, especially if you call it out in your resume or your behavioral/work history interviews.
I don't intend on transferring that soon. If I do take the offer then I will give it a good try before I decide to try something but I would still like to be in position to be able to transfer without any difficulties(in this case, being part of the Eng Prod team.) When you say, you may choose your project, are you implying the projects for the Eng prod team is usually small that would not need more than 1 person to work on it and hence I can pick which project to work on?
In my case, I am on an engprod team that works closely with two sibling teams that are not engprod, so I can take on projects working with those teams and my manager is pretty cool about it. No idea if my experience is typical. Edit: I honestly wouldn’t recommend my approach to others if they aren’t interested in engprod, it’s much less risky to just look for a team match you are interested in.
Are the interviews with SETI the same level as SWE interviews? How was your experience?
AFAIK, it is a same ladder but focus is different. BTW, is 250k RSU for one year or 4 years? If it is one year, it is a good offer. But you need to increase your base upto 200k. As you may know, L5 median is 180k base and 130k RSUs/year
It is $250k for 4 years. I initially set my expectation at $600k but the recruiter said thats too high although she will work with the Comp team to see what numbers she can get. As for base, I started with $180k and the recruiter was saying it is borderline ok. Also, I had to negotiate to reduce the base to increase the RSUs. The recruiter is yet to get back to me with the new number.
I think you should have at least 180k base and 500k RSUs/4year. BTW, do you have any competing offer such as FB? Otherwise, it is very hard to negotiate in my experience