A position in a US National laboratory vs a early stage up ?

New / Data
bhaav

Go to company page New Data

BIO
Software developer with 3yoe
bhaav
Jun 5, 2019 18 Comments

I am little confused on which offer to finalize.
I have an offer from a national lab with 75k base salary with additional benefits of working in laboratories. On the other hand, I have another offer from a early stage startup. They are give me 120k + 20% yearly bonus.

National lab has stability and peace of mind, but I am not getting the technology I want to work on. Moreover, it has low pay scale.

Early stage startup has all that in which I want to work on. High salary. High bonuses better city.

I am turning 30 late this year and I am fiddling between these option now.

Based on the locations they are situated in, and after calculating yearly burn our rate. I am saving approx. 30k or more a year if I work for national lab vs saving approx. 42k or more a year with the startup up excluding year end bonus.

Could any help me based on their experiences?

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 18 Comments
  • Twitch / Data
    select *

    Go to company page Twitch Data

    select *
    Figure out how the start up is funded and where in the funding cycle it is in. Also figure out how cyclical the industry is. Last figure out how fast the startup can grow.

    Basically, I feel that there's about another year left before a recession where funding dries up and unemployment goes up. If your stsrt up is well funded and has 2 years plus run way, go for it. Otherwise, do proper diligence before you jump
    Jun 5, 2019 14
    • Twitch / Data
      select *

      Go to company page Twitch Data

      select *
      I have no idea what your start up does so who am I to give shitty advice.

      Usually, I am in the camp of always go for the start up because the experience tends to be a lot more rewarding and the learning a lot better.

      But the yield curve has just inverted and it does feel like the funding cycle is in late stage... So I'm not sure. If it's not a passion project, I might stick with the safer route, but who knows.

      In either case, you should see if you can get more offers before you accept. Call companies and tell them you have exploding offers, usually they would expedite the interview process for you
      Jun 5, 2019
    • New / Data
      bhaav

      Go to company page New Data

      BIO
      Software developer with 3yoe
      bhaav
      OP
      Ok thank you for your advice, it was really helpful
      Jun 5, 2019