Google L5 TC - Reston, VA
Hey guys, In talks with google at the moment for L5 network engineer role in Reston, Virginia. This is what they are offering at moment: Base: $136k/yr RSUs: $210k over 4 years - 53k/year Sign on bonus: $20k Yearly bonus: 15% which is about $20k per year So TC: $136+53+20 = $209k Recruiter mentioned that base is the max they can do but there is flexibility on the RSUs. What do you guys think i should be targeting considering the role is in Virginia and TCs are on the lower side compared to the west coast. I understand that amazon L6 = google L5 so seems their current offering is on the lower end of the scale. Current TC - 225k - Amazon L5 in Seattle. My TC will be lower next year due to the 5-year cliff (around 180k)
Did you have a competing offer during the negotiation?
You really need to interview with another company to get an offer and use it to improve your google offer. Google is incredibly responsive to competing offers and by default will low ball you without one.
for L5 NE? I’d decline that if they didn’t improve that offer..
That is far higher than most other roles in this area at least for Software Engineering (perhaps Network Engineers fare better). There's not too many well-paying jobs other than the small # of Google and FB openings and AWS. Beyond that tier, the next top-paying companies in this region pay about 60% of those companies. You'll also need to pay state taxes unlike in WA, and this area is unfathomably boring aside from DC.
Did you end up taking it?
Reston VA is not cheap to live in
Yep, that’s what I have heard but seems to be cheaper then Seattle.
It's cheaper than Seattle, depending on exact location. My rent is 2/3 what is was in Seattle for a similar-sized place and similar commute time to Seattle or Reston.