Amazon vs Start up offer

Jan 28 3 Comments

I recently got an offer from Amazon and a series D saas start-up. Both are SE roles. I am trying to determine which one will be better for my career and how they will look on my resume.

I am leaning towards the start-up since, I like the idea/product, everyone I meet/interviewed with was super nice and smart, WLB seems great for a start-up, I feel like I can learn a lot more, they have also been doubling in headcount and revenue for past 3 years, and the base salary alone is almost the same as the Amazon TC. The only downside I can think about is the options I receive are not worth anything unless they IPO or during an acquisition, and I also have to exercise the option within 90 days if I leave.

I heard the stories about Amazon on Blind so that does worry me but I know they will look good on my resume. Everyone I interviewed with seemed kind of mean/unhappy, even the recruiter.

My main question is how does a start-up look on your resume if they A: go bankrupt, B: They end up doing just ok. Obviously, if they end up doing really good then I know it will look good on my resume. I did negotiate both offers.

Amazon SDE1:
TC: ~180k (Base/stock/bonus)
Location: lcol

Start Up:
Base: 170K
Options: 240k over 4 years
Location: SF but they are fine with me working remote (I live in lcol area)
TC: 170k + paper money

YOE 2
Current TC 93K
#Amazon #startup #engineering #software

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TOP 3 Comments
  • Amazon
    yDpu08

    Go to company page Amazon

    yDpu08
    Amazon will definitely boost your resume in the future but I’ll choose the start up here, you won’t get 230K TC at Amazon even after your promotion to SDE2 (assume your option value is fairly calculated)
    Jan 28 2