Senior Software Engineer at Capital One, have an offer from Amazon (aws) in Seattle for an SDE1 position. Debating making the hop to aws. Current TC is 135k + ~8k bonus. Have not negotiated on salary yet for the SDE1 position, but I have heard that most SDE1s will not make more than 120k base. Is the stock / yearly bonus at aws worth it? Was hoping for SDE2 but didn't get. Pros: -opportunity to work with really smart and talented people at aws -opportunity to work with cool tech @ aws -Amazon on a resume means I will almost always be at least contacted for jobs I apply to....right? -Probably won't pass a FAANG interview again Cons: -wlb at Capital One allows me to pursue other interests -have been at cap1 for barely a year, haven't explored all opportunities here -base salary for SDE1 would probably be lower, but maybe stock and yearly sign on bonus make up for that? -good chance of being pipped to unemployment at aws -good chance capital one gets pissed at me Unknowns -ability to move between teams at aws -ability to change locations at aws (parents are moving so I want to be flexible) -people are really smart at capital one too, and I enjoy working with them. Will amazon have equally smart and enjoyable people? Really happy at Cap1 and was hoping for an SDE2 offer at aws but didn't get. But on the other hand, if I perform well I could make SDE2 and maybe further. Definitely more salary growth there. I've heard aws carries tons of weight on a resume, and theres a decent shot I never pass a FAANG interview again soon. They are really hard and highly dependent on luck. But maybe capital one carries alot of weight too? I am not sure. #software #engineering #sde1 #aws #amazon #capitalone
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Did you apply for SDE2 and get downgraded or did you apply for SDE1 and were hoping to get upgraded?
downgraded :(
That's unfortunate. I think the downgrade is better than a no thanks altogether, now you get your foot in the door and can make the best of it. I would wait to see the offer from Amazon before jumping to conclusions, you're in the driver seat because you're employed, but you might be surprised and not need to negotiate much if at all
seattle experienced SDE1 hire should be around 170k-180k TC at AWS. base should be around 130k. first 2 years are cash heavy (sign on bonuses to make up for backloaded stocks).
What's your total YOE?
4
SDE1 at 4 yoe is fine. You will probably get total comp around 150 or more. Go for AWS. Stick with Amazon for a few years since a string of job hops will start to make your resume unattractive at senior levels.
I am a new grad masters, with 2 yoe in a different country. Just got downgraded at amazon. Offer at Seattle was 135K/26units/40+30 (bonus)
I would not accept this if you are happy at your current place and if it is not anything but sde2. Dont go with that argument that if I perform well I will be promoted to sde2 really soon. On the other hand you could also be pipped really soon because of circumstances outside your control. So asses that risk before you make the decision and see whether its really worth it. Also Amazon is a sweatshop so take that also into consideration if you value your wlb.
I tried to warn this kid, but I guess we will all see it happen.
@nick_goku3, what about even taking the SDE1 role? How much clout does an SDE1 role @ aws have on a resume?
No
Are you in Dallas OP? I’m interested in a C1 SWE role and had some questions, mind if I DM?
No
Reading this is hilarious. I think you are me. I’m Sr SWE at C1 with 5 yoe. My base and bonus this year are a bit different but you are me last year. This year, 143k base and 15k bonus. Got promoted to master but my SVP dropped it at the last minute. So I got a “competitive increase” Interviewed for Amazon, got SDE1 down-leveled from SDE2. Position is in either Seattle or DC. Trying to figure out my best bet. I still have interviews for Facebook and Google but if those don’t work out I think I’m going to take the Amazon offer and move to Seattle. I think of it as a slight pay increase with a responsibility decease and much more room to grow. Capital One fucked us engineers in the ass this year, SVP stood up in our all hands today and bragged about how well our company was doing while simultaneously talking about how they debated lowering 401k matching, no merit increases, lower bonuses, etc to “save money”. Amazon will fuck you eventually, but with lube, since you get paid more and it’s pretty much expect it with the “frugality” LP
Sounds like samer, but yes Amazon is a awesome place except you will have to sacrifice a lot.
what about it do you like the most?
Opportunities, resources, great support for career growth, flexibility with a lot of small things. It’s about luck, if you don’t get lucky you might be piped before you know it.