I've received two offers, one from Google (L3 after downlevel) in NYC and one from EA (SE2) in LA. Google: Base: $150k RSU: $130k over 4 years (33/33/22/12) Sign on: $30k Target bonus: 15% Y1 TC: $246k, Y2 TC: $216k EA: Base: $150k RSU: $125k over 3 years (33/33/33) Sign on: $90k over 2 years ($45k/year) Target bonus: 15% Y1 TC: $255k, Y2 TC: $255k Current TC: ~$185k 2.5 YOE These are both final offers. The two companies both have stock refreshers, though I'm not sure if one is better than the other. The benefits at Google are better, and the NYC location is a huge plus. However, the EA role is open to remote, so I'd have the option of moving there anyway with a higher total compensation. Given the large compensation gap and the higher level, I'm leaning toward EA. Does this choice make sense? Is there anything I'm missing regarding career opportunities or compensation? #google #software
When you say downlevel…is that because they said they will interview you at L4 and after interview they said you weren’t qualified at L4 but would consider at L3?
Yes, that's exactly it.
So number 1 rule in life should be don’t settle. If you wanted L4 then don’t settle for anything less than L4. Join EA and then later apply again and get for L4. If you join with downlevel then you will not be happy deep down.
I’m not familiar with NYC COL, is that TC good for the area?
I think so. From what I've been told, it's at or near top-of-band for non-critical L3 roles.
Google hands down
Lol isn't this a no-brainer. Obviously EA
OP this really depends on what kind of engineer you are. For the record, I’m ex-EA. EA is super top down and political, like really bad in that regard. If you have good ideas it can be very difficult to push them through because politics. The good news is you won’t ever get fired if you work on stuff that is blessed by senior upper management. Often the people who do well are a chosen lucky few, everyone else has to grind hard. If you can do well at EA the hard way, you can earn two to three times as much elsewhere. Google is going to be the opposite. My understanding is the expectation is that you come up with the work, but I might be wrong. But if you like to not have someone 4 levels removed from you telling you what to work on, this is prob the best choice.
Thank you, this is great feedback. When you say that the people who do well are a "chosen lucky few," how do people end up in this position (as opposed to those who end up grinding but don't)?
It’s really hard to say and sorta random. I’ve seen new grads brought in at SE2 who tbh worked hard but given managerial positions after a few years just because management liked them, and SSEs grind for over a decade and then be given 2-3x times the comp and a higher grade at other companies because frankly management did not appreciate them. At EA it really pays to be super visible and on the right side of senior management, and really sucks to be on the wrong side (and by wrong side, I mean your team or vertical, not necessarily individual). Your mileage will vary, basically.
are you joking?
When did EA started paying so much
When epic games and Roblox started eviscerating their workforce
EA looks better, only thing I would be wary of would be the crunch culture present in game companies
Google