Negotiating AWS Principal Solutions Architect L7 Offer
Jan 3, 2021
10 Comments
I'm interviewing for a Principal Solutions Architect L7 role at AWS. I have done a fair amount of reading online about the comp structure and benefits, and I'm preparing for negotiating an #offer. I know the cap on base salary is 165-185k depending on location, which is less than what I'm currently making. So first question, is there an argument to be made on matching (or maxing out) base regardless of where the role is located (i.e. can you get 185 outside bay area)? Secondly, how does one go about negotiating the RSUs and bonus? Is it right to assume the vesting schedule cannot be negotiated? Finally, if relocation is offered, is that included as a lump sum in the bonus or separately? #comp #aws #solutionarchitect
comments
Base:160k ( recruiter said non negotiatable)
1st year sign on: 90k
2nd year: 80k
RSU: 96
Now image the sign on for L7...TC should be around 550k ( check levels.fyi for more data points)
Base:160k
1st year: ~250k
2nd year: ~250k
RSU: ~400 stocks (vesting 5%,15%, 40%(20% every 6 months), 40%)
2. RSU vesting schedule is mostly fixed. If it is changed, it'll impact you sign in bonus.
3. Relocation bonus is not part of lump sum.
Your salary is composed of base + RSU +bonus.
Keeping base fixed, only RSU and Bonus are variable. Hence, you should negotiate in 'Total Comp'. This will automatically increase your sign in bonuses and RSUs as they do math to make it more or less same per year.
So when you increase total comp, it'll be contributed by your sign in bonus for 1st 2 yrs and RSUs for 3rd and 4th year.