Join startup or Amazon
I have 7 yoe and have offer from startup (Wave compute) 155 base Almost 400k worth stock options. Amazon L5 175k base 89k bonus (over 2yearsl 140k stocks Wave compute seems to have a good future... What do you guys suggest? Currnt TC 220k
You are losing 70K in the hope that paper money will be a thing from your current TC. Do it if you already have worked at FAANG and have enough savings, otherwise go to Amazon, it's a no-brainer.
When you say “400k worth stock options”, what does that mean? Determining the actual value of options, as opposed to stock units, is typically very difficult for an early stage company. Did they mean you have options to purchase stock units at a strike price of $400k? If so, that is very different from saying you have options worth $400k.
They have offered me ISO of some units which are worth 400k based on their current valuation.
They lied to you. ISOs have a strike price equal to fair market value. They are probably comparing common and preferred shares (read apples and oranges). Please inform yourself - there is plenty of material about ISOs online.
Startup.
Cisco
If you believe in Wave, you should go for it. Experience building a start up is great to have and you can always come back.
L5 SDE in Bay Area? That comp is low. You should aim for 260k-280k for L5 external hire. Do not take less than 260k - your initial grant is all you ever get at Amazon until years into your time here.
don't move, stay with cisco