Work for Facebook in London? Transfer between cities?
What is the process for interviewing for a Facebook dev position in London as a US citizen currently living in the US? I don't have a problem flying there to interview if necessary. I know there are visa requirements to work in the UK. Is it better to apply to apply to Facebook in the US with the goal of asking for a short-term transfer there or just apply directly there? I would like to spend a couple of years in London and then likely return to the US. I'm also wondering how compensation works if I were to get hired somewhere like London or Austin or NYC and then want to transfer to MP one day. Do you renegotiate comp? Is there some sort of formula that handles the conversion? I would expect a pretty large difference in TC between those cities. I've often thought about working at FB one day, and it seems like the logical next step in my career progression. But if I get in, I'd want to stay more than a couple of years, and I don't want to undercut my long term potential by starting at a lower salary due to my starting city.
What role? I'm not sure if we have engineering positions in Austin.
Preferably front end dev with React or similar. I saw at least one "software developer" role in Community Operations Engineering in Austin. I'm not sure if it's the ideal team or role, but it seemed like a good technical fit for my background.
I wasn't aware of an engineering office in Austin. But in all other locations (Menlo Park, Seattle, NYC), the pay is the same. I would recommend interviewing for a position in MPK. Either spend some time working in MPK before switching, or look for teams in other locations during bootcamp. Headcount is never an issue at Menlo Park, so it works in your favor. London pay is a lot lower (and apparently rent is slightly higher than in the bay area). If you join a US office and then move to London, your base salary will be adjusted (lowered). Same with London to MPK move (salary increased). BUT, there will be no adjustments to RSUs during a move -- one more (important) reason to join for a US position and then switch.
Very helpful info, thank you! I'm surprised to hear that the pay is the same across those US cities. NYC seems like a somewhat more affordable and far more interesting city as a single person. I'd be very open to spending some time there instead of London (or before London). Your point about RSUs staying the same despite a salary adjustment wrt London is good to know. Does it make sense to interview in MPK even targeting a NYC position? If I started in MPK but didn't enjoy the lifestyle there, is it simple to transfer to NYC or Seattle? Would I need to wait a minimum amount of time first? Can you work on the same projects / teams or does that vary by location? Are the "best" projects generally for teams in MPK? Does the city impact advancement? Sorry for so many questions but trying to make an informed decision.
"Does it make sense to interview in MPK even targeting a NYC position?" -- yes, I would recommend that. There's no minimum wait period for switching teams, but I wouldn't do it in less than 6 months (a PSC cycle) for performance assessment reasons (ramp up period when you switch, multiple teams assessing your performance, etc.). "Can you work on the same projects / teams" Generally no, FB does not encourage working remotely for long periods of time. It might be possible to do that (be in NYC and work with an MPK team) if you're some kind of domain expert / rockstar. "Are the "best" projects generally for teams in MPK?" I wouldn't put it that way. But MPK does have way more options. Also, WhatsApp, Oculus, Instagram are all in MPK (if you were thinking of working for one of those). City doesn't impact career progression.
Do not be hired into London as an American. You will be paid less. Be hired into any US office and then, if you still want to go to London, transfer. Transfers will not change your current compensation, so always start high and transfer lower on the comp gradient.
That is incorrect. If you transfer to London, your base will be lowered.
How an offer would look like in London for E6 in terms of RSU and sign on bonus?
As a related question, if you start in Menlo Park and transfer somewhere like NYC or Austin (or vice versa), does that affect your stock and bonus potential or just your base?
Us offers are exactly the same no matter location