Career advice for a 35yrs old firmware dude

Sep 20, 2021 28 Comments

11 yoe, current tc 225k(Qualcomm), new job 330k tc (startup) but still in firmware domain

I feel like I can study more. Any advice for me? Should I consider switching to SWE or MLE at this age? Thanks in advance.

#firmware #swe #softwaredevelopersalary #machinelearning #machinelearningengineer #softwareengineer #software #engineering

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TOP 28 Comments
  • Google
    baur

    Go to company page Google

    baur
    Just apply to faang, the fw is treated there as swe, so the salary is at the same level
    Sep 20, 2021 3
  • Apple
    s4di

    Go to company page Apple

    s4di
    Mind sharing why didn't you change your job since 9 years ago?
    Also if you like swe, you can LC and join FAANG. With 11 yoe, you can land L6 and a TC of at least 500k.
    Sep 20, 2021 2
  • New
    sunny10

    New

    sunny10
    What is the breakdown of the 330 TC in salary, bonus, stock?
    Sep 20, 2021 5
    • OP
      Yeah, from tc point of view, FW pay is about same like HW, sometimes even less. But this is all depends on market & needs and I respect it
      Sep 20, 2021
    • Amazon / Eng
      asqwz

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      asqwz
      I'm a new grad firmware engineer and Firmware tc at FAANG and other popular companies is at par with software tc.
      Sep 22, 2021
  • Robert Bosch / Eng
    rRfw35

    Go to company page Robert Bosch Eng

    rRfw35
    You are not too old to study and learn. It takes time, but if you can do it, right now is the best time you will ever have to make a transition. Besides, if you do it, you can always be picky and "go back". If you don't do it, you don't have a choice but to stay in the domain. Good luck!
    Sep 20, 2021 2
    • OP
      Thank you for the kind words! Switching to SWE/MLE itself will take a year of LC and preparation I suppose. Is it possible the new SWE/MLE job level can still take into account of my prior firmware experience, or most likely a level downgrade will happen upon hire?
      Sep 20, 2021
    • Robert Bosch / Eng
      rRfw35

      Go to company page Robert Bosch Eng

      rRfw35
      I can't answer that question. It might be dependent on the job itself, but also it might be that you would end up in a company which has a higher pay band for the lower level than you currently are. It depends. But, if you have free time and will to do it, try it. Who knows when would be the next opportunity and how much you would regret it for not attempting it now.
      Sep 21, 2021
  • Twilio / Manufacturing
    fkingowl

    Go to company page Twilio Manufacturing

    fkingowl
    I mean if you think 330k at 11 yoe is poor, leetcode your way to prosperity and riches
    Sep 20, 2021 3
    • Twilio / Manufacturing
      fkingowl

      Go to company page Twilio Manufacturing

      fkingowl
      You sure can and not too old. I think that salary for fw is pretty good. My brother used to be in fw and he didn’t come close to that. I think as long as you are in coding the skills translate well in learning a new language.
      Sep 20, 2021
    • OP
      Thank you. I feel like FW coding is somewhat less complicated than SW, Less focus on algorithms/complexity? My impression is based the difficulty levels between FW and SW coding interviews. Maybe I am wrong
      Sep 20, 2021