Initial salary compensation discussion for a QAE 5 role was in the $160k (max base salary) range prior to my on-site interview. I completed three total rounds of interviews and Amazon’s first base salary offer was $105k with a $37k sign on bonus. I politely declined and indicated that it was well below the initial numbers and less than my current salary. Amazon responded with a $106k base salary and $47k sign on bonus. Again, I informed them that their total compensation was less than my salary and year end bonus. I know that I interviewed well and the feedback from the interview teams was positive. Amazon has stated that it’s their final offer. I’m ok walking away from the offer, but it seems to have been a mistake in initial numbers by the recruiter or they really are just trying to lowball me. Has anyone had a similar experience with Amazon? I have 10+ years in quality control and an impressive track record. 🤷♂️
Just reject it.. not sure why they are offering this much less
That’s my plan.
Stock?
Standard 5% stock option for the first year.
5% of what? How many rsus were you offered?
So your first year tc is a little more than ~142k for L5 QAE? Honestly I think that sounds to be in the salary band for the position and level.
Oh hardware. Nvm not sure about those numbers.
$142k as a base salary would be acceptable as its slightly above the average salary for a QE in the Seattle area. I was expecting a TC around $190k.
Its a QAE role. That too L5. Unless something has changed drastically, I am unsure why I wold pay anyone 160K base for a mid level QAE role. If this was SDET, I could still see a 125-140K salary. No offense to OP, but I don’t think anyone is paying 160K base for QAE roles
What’s hardware QE?
Sorry... hardware quality assurance engineer related to vehicle development. With the recruiter stating that a base salary would be in the range of $160k, I honestly expected to see a base salary offer around $135-$145. The recruiter has zero explanation as why the discrepancy in numbers.
$160K base salary is very high and unusual for L5 QAE. Your expectations are out of whack.
Oh, I agree $160k would be out of whack. My issue is that the recruiter led with that number for base salary before I flew out for the interview. Had I known the range was $105k, I wouldn’t have bothered to interview. 10+ hours of interviewing.
I'm assuming you are in Detroit area If you work at general motors? And you currently make more than 160k? Why would you bother interviewing with amazon or google.. I'm sure either of them cant match that pay (160k in Detroit is almost equivalent to 260k in seattle)
On a different note, anyone have any idea on what will be Software QAE ii salary at Amazon Seattle currently ?
Maybe start a new thread on this topic?
QAE pay band is the same regardless of S/W or H/W... its between 130 and 160k for L5
160K is unrealistic. Who did you have that discussion with? You only mentioned base and sign on. Weren’t you offered any stocks? Reasonable TC would be 125-140 base, 25-35 sign on for first 2 years and around 80-100 stocks for 4 years. It all depends on your interview performance, certifications (BB, MBB etc) and possibly other candidates they might think would do this job with lower salary.
That discussion was with the recruiter. She defined the $160k range over the phone and via email prior to my on-site interview. The offered stock would be 5% of my base salary. Thank you for your input.
She should have clarified on the phone but she probably meant 160K as projected TC which is a mid tier salary for L5 Hardware QAE. What I listed above is more like a top tier salary for L5.
47k bonus yearly for the first 2 years, or paid over those 2 years? 5% stock doesn't kusually kick in until year 2. How much stock in years 3 and 4? That's typically the key. My suggestion is to look at the stock, which can make up a large part of your comp when it gets back up to where it should be. My advice is to not think too short term. There's room for growth, so if you perform well you'll get raises and more stock in the future, and if you're good, l6 might not be to far away (more cash and stock). Anyway, my point is that too not think too short term, because long term might be a different story. The comp could work out to way more if you're at the top end of the range where you are now.
A lump of $25$ of the signing bonus in my first check and then $22k spread out over the second year. 5% stock first year, 10% second year, and 20% bi-yearly after the second year. I was informed that stock pattern is the same throughout the company.
I would double check. I've never seen an offer that has stock that vests in the first year. In my experience There's always a 1 year Cliff to Amazon hiring grants, so that 5% likely vests in year 2. It should theoretically make up for the smaller AMT of cash in year 2 making the first 2 years about the same.
Thanks.
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Seattle. Hardware QE with PrimeAir.