Offer Evaluation for NetApp and Sandia National Laboratories
Thanks for everyone’s help on another post a little while back to help get to this point. I’ve reduced it down to 2 offers. I’m slightly older due to a previous career but have about 2-3YOE in software. Due to the career change I’ll be doing a fellowship before transitioning to full-time (which is why I don’t have concrete details just yet). But what I’m looking at is: NetApp: not a guarantee of a full-time offer after (this is worrisome). HCOL but within about 7 hours of family. Base salary: ~125-135k. Very interested in the work to be done (sounds like OnTAP). Remote 4 days a week, in office 1 day (afraid to pass this up). 15 days PTO (10 are allocated for 4th of July and Christmas/New Years). 401k match is 100% on first 2% then 50% on next 4%. Sandia National Labs: Within 3 hours of family. Great WLB: 15 days PTO + 6 days off between Christmas and New Years. Base salary ~130-140k. 401k match is 9-10%. Very interested in the work writing C++ for cutting edge applications. No remote. Virtually a guaranteed offer at the end of the fellowship. Little worried about living in ABQ with high crime, housing prices, etc. Priorities for me and my family: 1) WLB/PTO/benefits 1) Actual dev work, growing my technical expertise 3) Compensation 4) Reasonable distance to family/safe area to raise kids 5) Outdoor hobbies About me: Masters in CS. Previous defense job (hold TS/SCI). Previous career as software engineer (transitioning back hence the fellowship). Prefer backend C++. Thanks!
Go for Sandia labs
Sandia has unlimited sick leave
Wow, I’m actually taken back. I was always under the assumption that NetApp was a tier 2 tech company and a very good one at that. Shows what I know!
It might have been a while ago, it’s “alright” now
What’s the total tc of netapp offer ? No stock or joining bonus ?
Since they can’t promise me a job right now and want to see my capability they can only give me a ballpark figure. No mention of a bonus or RSUs. If they make me early talent then I don’t believe there are any RSUs, correct?
For FTE yes there should be rsu if you are from engineering side .
NetApp is good it depends on which team you fall in. As an early in career it will be good on the development side. Not sure about Sandia Labs
I'd say Sandia over NetApp. Especially if you like the department/team. Relative to COL the pay and benefits are pretty good. I'm at the CA site now (where it's not as good), but I enjoyed my time in NM. Live in the NE of town or near/in Rio Rancho and you'll avoid a lot of the crime/be near better schools, very broadly speaking. You might even be able to afford private schools depending on your household TC---a lot of my coworkers sent their kids to private school for at least middle school. Relative to tech I'm not particularly convinced that we do a lot of actual sw dev work that's cutting edge, but ymmv. If you have medical needs, that could be an issue in NM, since there's a shortage of doctors and wait times aren't great.
As long as I’m getting to do dev, I’m happy. I just didn’t want to be a systems engineer/admin while writing requirements and doing verification while the actual dev work is done by a contractor. Sounds like that is not the case!
At Sandia, Have they given it to you in writing that you will get the job after fellowship? If Yes, It's a good deal looking at the current market situation. I don't know much about Sandia on the other hand.. I'm working at NetApp for more than 5years now. I really love it. Just like any other company, It depends on which team you fall in.
No, but their fellowship placement is nearly 100%. With NetApp it sounds like it’s 70-80%. We love the CO area much, much more than ABQ. We’re still extremely stuck.
Don’t know about sandia, but netapp is a sinking ship. There is no interesting work. Better avoid. Wlb is only the positive here