CompensationNov 9, 2019

Offer evaluation Microsoft l61, Google L3 and Amazon SDE2

One of my friend is doing master's and got offers from google, ms and amazon. He had 2 years work ex in ml prior to master's in a unicorn outside US. He needs help making a decision. He is interested in working on ml. Amazon Sunnyvale - SDE 2 Alexa ai - nlp + software engineering work Microsoft Redmond - Level 61 Bing search - nlp + software engineering work Google Mountain view - Level 3 - intern conversion offer Geo org - no idea about team - they will match team 1 month before start date Amazon - 175k base, 78k+58k sign on in first 2 years, 175k stock (vesting 5%, 15%, 40%, 40% in 4 years) Microsoft - 140k base, 50k+50k sign on, 250k stock (3.5 years, first 25% vests in 6 months), upto 20% bonus Google - 125k base, 50k sign on, 270k stock (4 years), 15% target bonus His current preference is Google > MS > Amazon. Pay wise Google is lowest. But he is inclined to join google because of good intern experience, brand name, perks and growth opportunities (considering he is just l3 so promo will be easier as compared to l61 at MS). His intern was in ml but his main concern is the ability to get a ml team in google. Since google is not divulging any information about the team, he is not sure if he will get a ml team or infra team at Google. How hard it is to get matched to a ml team without a phd at google? If the initial team is not in ml, how hard is it to move to a ml team after 1 year? I believe there must be a lot of internal competition from phd folks or experienced Google employees. What to do think?

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Microsoft HarleyQui Nov 9, 2019

I agree. Google > MSFT > Amazon

Microsoft msbay Nov 9, 2019

Microsoft is paying 100K joining bonus and 250K stock for l61???

Microsoft RVP20 OP Nov 9, 2019

they matched his competing offer from amazon

Microsoft msbay Nov 9, 2019

What was your offer?

Amazon lwri07 Nov 9, 2019

I don’t I understand why leave money on the table he can move to google after two years any ways.

Amazon TiCi Nov 9, 2019

Google’s refreshers are around 80k for L4. Even with having refreshers for Google, Amazon wins out slightly in this case TC wise. But wlb, 401k match, and perks would make Google more favorable.

Microsoft RVP20 OP Nov 9, 2019

Google offer is L3, not L4. So even less, comp wise.

Amazon TiCi Nov 9, 2019

But promotion should occur in a year, which is what I based it off. 401k match is worth 9k more and food is worth 10k more pre tax.

Google KahKeLunga Nov 9, 2019

Looks like standard Google L3 pay. But having other offers would be a benefit. Nowadays Google is not doing very well with matching competing offer.

LinkedIn nMnX85 Nov 9, 2019

270k stock is standard google l3?

Microsoft RVP20 OP Nov 9, 2019

Google's new grad offer without competing offers is 125 base, 20 sign on and 100k stock

Facebook mturtle Nov 9, 2019

Why even consider google? Its lowest level and lowest comp. Amzn would be best. Then try reapplying to google after 1 or 2 years.

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Bob&Vegan Nov 9, 2019

Why not applied/research scientist in Amazon

Target horsepower Nov 13, 2019

I thought Amazon base caps at 160k. How come they offered you 175k?

Facebook mturtle Nov 13, 2019

Not in the bay area.

Microsoft samlishen Nov 30, 2019

He/you should also think about the cost of living as well as the taxes. Cost of living in Seattle area isn’t that high compare to Bay Area and no state or local taxes.