Need help deciding offers: Amazon Applied Scientist vs. Apple Data Scientist
Would appreciate blinders to help me choose between the two offers.
Current TC 130K
MS + 2.5 yoe in DS
Amazon, Applied Scientist L4
Base: 155K
Sign-on: 70K+53K
4 years RSU: 47
Avg 4 years TC: 226K
Location: Seattle
Apple, Data Scientist (level unknown, likely ICT3?)
Base: 135K
Sign-on: 20K
4 years RSU: 198K
Avg 4 years TC: 189K
Location: Austin
Need to respond by end of this week. I'm based in the east coast so both will provide relo, looks like Amazon can only give $7k lump sum where I could ask for valet services from Apple. Both teams are doing interesting work, in terms of interview difficulty I'd say Apple more technical than Amazon (the latter asked a ton of LP and BQ). Feel more chemistry with the Apple HM tbh, but the team at Amazon is new and currently tackling large scale problems (possibly more visibility). I interviewed for Amazon L5 but somehow was down leveled to L4, could be due to my experience solely in the construction design field. Would like to know if both offers are decent. Should be able to do more MLE/deployment type of work for both roles. #tech #amazon #apple #datascience #appliedscience
comments
1. COL difference between Austin and Seattle
2. Upside potential for both companies
3. Perks and benefits
4. Of course, Amazon’s Achilles heel: Work culture (this always is team dependent but you’ll never find out until you start. In the absence of detailed information, decide based on what you know generally)
Also as someone who has lived in TX and WA… the heat will kill any hope of outdoor activities. If you’re outdoorsy, Amazon… if you like bars and nightlife and restaurants, apple
Just use Amazon / AWS for interview practice and use their offer letter for entry TC negotiation somewhere with a better management culture…. so that’s basically anywhere else.