Hot self-driving car startups vs. FANG

Jan 22, 2019 25 Comments

I've begun interviewing with a couple of self-driving car startups and wanted to get people's take on leaving or turning down on offer from a FANG company for the AV startup route.
I'd really love to work in the AV space but am concerned if it makes financial sense.

Current TC: L5 @ $300k / $180k base

I expect to get around the same base from the startups but not sure how to evaluate stock options at these companies at $2-3 billion valuations with 3-400 employees vs. public RSUs.

I'm trying to determine my interviewing schedule strategy: whether I should just continue with the interviews that I've been invited to then evaluate or go full-on and begin interviewing at the other FANGs, Waymo, Uber ATG, Lyft L5, + all AV startups to ensure I do get the best offer.

If AV startups offer great stock for their respective stages, I'd rather hold off on interviewing for the others and save those for the near future.

Anyone know what can I expect from Cruise, Argo, Aurora, Zoox?

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TOP 25 Comments
  • AppDynamics / Eng
    software g

    Go to company page AppDynamics Eng

    software g
    Considering how hard it is to build self driving vehicles does anyone think newer startups in this area will be successful. Maybe Waymo, Cruise, Uber, Lyft will be successful. Do others like Argo, Aurora, Zoox have a chance?
    Jan 22, 2019 2
  • Cruise used to pay its "stocks" in real money but sadly not anymore.

    Base you can get easily. TC you would need to do some negotiation.
    Jan 22, 2019 5
  • Google
    nlxS44

    Go to company page Google

    nlxS44
    Are you generalist SWE or do you have (legit) vision/ML experience? What’s the role?
    Jan 22, 2019 5
    • OP
      $500k would be great...
      Yeah I saw some of the older posts but these startups have grown and valuations have changed - e.g. company X going from 1bil to 2bil valuation - would they offer same absolute $ stock options as before just at a newer valuation?
      Also starting as employee #150 is different than #400 or #800.
      Jan 22, 2019
    • Xperi
      fifosofj

      Go to company page Xperi

      fifosofj
      Do you work at oculus?
      Jan 22, 2019
  • Go for it. It’s the future of sustainable economy.
    Jan 22, 2019 0
  • Facebook / Eng
    fb2017

    Go to company page Facebook Eng

    PRE
    Google, Oracle
    BIO
    worked at Oracle, then Google, now Facebook.
    fb2017
    Av is hype. Those paper money will be real paper at the end.
    Jan 22, 2019 2
    • New
      goodgulf

      New

      goodgulf
      The main applications of AI are the free oines. AI: redefining snake oil for computer scientists for almost 70 years!
      Jan 22, 2019
    • OP
      Why do you say hype? Maybe the time horizon is a little optimistic but feels like the technology is almost there in certain geographies.
      Nonetheless, the automakers are sold on it for now and there are plenty of M&As - opportunity to get a nice return, no?
      Jan 22, 2019