I have an offer from both Amazon and Facebook and having trouble figuring out where to go. Both teams are infra teams at Amazon and FB in Bay Area. Amazon is offering SDE2 while Facebook is offering E3. The compensation at Amazon is 60K more per year than what Facebook is offering. Considering WLB and other factors, what do you guys suggest where should I go? #Facebook #Amazon Edit: any comments/advice would be really appreciated!
Tc for both?
Why don't you negotiate with FB? I'm pretty sure they can match your offer.
How is this even a question? In which aspect is FB competing for your skills? Do not compromise on level AND TC, you will regret it.
YoE? E3 is a new grad offer.
Yup, new grad here
How did you get an SDE2 as a new grad?
If you count in a promo or two at FB and refreshers, it’ll handily beat AMZN TC which will not increase first 4 years unless stock goes up.
How much is the usual refreshers? Recruiter mentioned 20k each year on avg? Is that something normal or is it for high performers too?
You’ll probably get a promo to L4 quickly at FB and that comes with additional stock too. Amazon L5 to L6 could take forever and you won’t see any additional money. Your resume would have more weight coming from FB as well compared to amazon.
TC is king
Go to amazn for two years, go back to Facebook then
At that early stage in your career, I’d recommend Amazon. The engineering discipline you’ll learn there will pay dividends later on. Facebook is not always the best place to start for fresh grads.
Oh, I didn't know about this. Why so? Is Amazon a better place to learn as compared to Facebook?
Yes. On the technical side of things, they are similar. It is the other skills surrounding technical work where Amazon is superior. Decision making methodology, weighing trade-offs, and overall engineering discipline are far superior in Amazon, and will better set you up for senior roles in the future in either of them. Don’t pay too much attention to TC right now. Money will come later anyways. Focus on aquiring the right experience.
Go with highest TC, you can always apply to FB later
FB E3 is not terminal level, it's at E5. While Amazon SDE2 is terminal, and usually given to more experienced candidates. There's a huge level mismatch between these two offers.
What does a terminal level mean?
Means if you’re performing well and want to stay at that level you can without pressure from management to move up or out.