Did I Get Downleveled?

Amazon
gYLH88

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gYLH88
Feb 5, 2020 14 Comments

Top tier STEM undergrad / Oxbridge STEM Masters completion expected this year. 2.5 years in Data/Analytics in a tech firm and then 3 years as a Data Engineer at FAANG.

Interviewed for Data Engineer (Associate 1) which says 3-5 years experience on the spec. Seems like a middle office team.

> Shouldn’t I be Associate 2 level? What TC can I expect?
> Is it easy to move internally to FO after my Masters? Easy to move up quickly if you prove yourself valuable in the team?
> The tech stack seems like SQL/Spark/Python... but how does this work without Cloud (AWS/GCP etc)?

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TOP 14 Comments
  • Yes, think you might be around 200 TC
    No. The only real front office role that's still tech focused is systematic trading.
    It's a maintenance nightmare, have fun
    Feb 5, 2020 7
    • You can certainly move teams after your first year. I can't recall whether GSAM has many people in London but I think QIS or IMD strats is where you'd want to go since you have a data analytics background instead of systems. Then you can try to find a stat arb job somewhere else.

      I went to securities just to check it out, but now I realize I may have made a mistake since I would've been better off gaining stat arb experience at GSAM or another lower tier equities stat arb operation. It's a struggle trying to get a systematic market making position without deep CS knowledge and it's also a struggle going to medium frequency stat arb without experience.
      Feb 6, 2020
    • Amazon
      gYLH88

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      gYLH88
      OP
      Do you think it’s relatively ‘easy’ to ‘move up’ especially if you are in a growing team and have a unique skill set? My mate says people in finance are less tech my so if you are social and techie you can do really well.
      Feb 7, 2020
  • Do you know the team or division in which you'll be working? That will dictate if you will work with an already implemented AWS/GCP or not.

    Easy way to move up quickly will depend on your boss and team.

    Also, did you ask about signing bonus? You know that if you get an offer from another company GS would probably match (unless you have already signed of course).
    Feb 5, 2020 4
    • Amazon
      gYLH88

      Go to company page Amazon

      gYLH88
      OP
      The hiring manager said they are the team which all news and social media stuff goes through.
      Yup interviewing again is not an issue. I just wanted to be sure that I was leveraging my background in tech (I’ve only ever been in tech) fully and not being played / that is it a wrong career move.
      Feb 5, 2020
    • Ok that team rings a bell. I hope you like it! And if you don't, find a team that motivates you and do mobility.

      Congrats on the offer and best of luck!
      Feb 5, 2020
  • Amazon
    gYLH88

    Go to company page Amazon

    gYLH88
    OP
    The role seems very cool and aligned. I guess I was just a bit blind on the tech side so didn’t want to get into something that I didn’t fully understand. :)
    Feb 6, 2020 0