L5 Data Scientist Amazon vs. T3 Product Analyst (Data Scientist) Google
Dear Blind members,
I currently have a L5 DS offer at Amazon with around 160 full comp and Google offered me a T3 Product Analyst in their Photo team. I asked for a 200k full comp in CA to be some what comparable to what Amazon is offering and Google said that won't work and asked me for a slightly lower number to negotiate the full comp.
First Google keeps claiming a Product Analyst in their Data Science vert is a Data Scientist. Either one will be a salary bump from my current situation but I can't believe they low balled me with the level, which obviously effects the comp.
What is the right decision to make in this case? I kind of want to work for Google just because of better benefits but feel so bitter about the level and the cost of living difference. I'm not sure if I'm just feeling the grass is greener at Google and feel like I might be making a terrible mistake by taking the lower level. I was thinking I can always boomerang back but I'm not sure. Please advice me with right career choice and potentially how to negotiate comp and level (hr kept claiming hiring committee decision is final and can't give me my interview feedback).
comments
Its very team specific. You cannot generalize across Google, ssme euth Amazon.
If you're going to report in a team which has 3-4 product managers be prepared to not work on ML. This applies to both Google/Amazon. Since you are joining in as T3 in G, there HAS to be someone senior if you are going to do ML.
If your Amazon team is not in tech (ir does not have SDEs, RS, AS) I guarantee you will not do ML stuff.
Product Analyst/Business Analyst at Google is more like Data Scientist at Facebook, which is also kind of messed up.
If OP’s idea of data scientist is someone who applies machine learning to the business, but not someone who implements distributed ML pipelines (ML engineer at Facebook) or someone who mainly builds dashboards, I’m not sure either company has the right ladder for you.
QA (now DS) is more for people with a PhD in stats. BA is more applied. I work with many BA who set their title to “Data Scientist.” It’s not just analysts, but it can sometimes be, so ask the recruiter to connect you with the hiring manager for more details about the work. This advice applies to DS everywhere, not just at Google.
If you make the wrong call you will report to the man who paid you to do his college assignments.