Apple SDET vs Qualcomm SD

New
newgrad10

New

newgrad10
Mar 26, 2020 17 Comments

I am in a very tough spot choosing between 2 new grad job offers (MS degree). I have a job offer from Apple (Cupertino) and Qualcomm (San Diego). The job title at Apple is Software Developer in Test (SDET) and at Qualcomm, I'll be a Sofware Developer (SD). Apple is paying me considerably more and the hiring manager told me he'll back me for an SD role after a year or two. In Apple, I'll be majorly working in Python and in Qcomm I'll be working in C++. My long term aspiration is to get into development. Can you please point me in what to consider before taking up either offer? I do have the deadline to accept fast approaching. Would really appreciate your feedback!

TC for Apple - 125k base + 25k sign on + 70k RSUs(4 years)
TC for Qualcomm - 100k base + 25k sign on + 40k RSUs(3 years) #apple #qualcomm #offer

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TOP 17 Comments
  • SAP
    cfg445

    Go to company page SAP

    cfg445
    Don’t run after the $. Go after the quality of work. Qualcomm is at a very good position with 5G coming up. Once you have SDET exp on resume, it will be very difficult to transition to SD. You will change after 2 years to a SDE role and back at same salary because they will offer you a new grad SDE role. Negotiate Qualcomm offer for more RSUs as they will shoot up coming years.
    Mar 26, 2020 4
    • New
      newgrad10

      New

      newgrad10
      OP
      Thank you so much for the inputs. I think what you're saying makes a lot of sense. Really appreciate your comments.
      Mar 26, 2020
    • SAP
      cfg445

      Go to company page SAP

      cfg445
      Coming from someone who has a close buddy who changed from SDET to SDE and I know his overcome and pain. Forget the financial stagnancy for a few years when you do a lateral move from SDET to SDE, the frustration that you could have honed SDE skills 2 years back instead of pursuing testing and automation. And you are a RCG, you shouldn’t think twice about $. You have a decent salary to survive in SD. I would say tell Qualcomm recruiter you would love to join but you want them to raise the comp, both base and RSUS a bit. Trust me on this - the biggest mistake all candidates make is fearing of losing their offer and not negotiating. When you have a contending Apple offer at hand, hell yes you negotiate. Qualcomm will never ask you to show offer from Apple and you can always tell it’s verbal offer right now until you accept. You can tell you wanna move to SD coz you got family there :-)
      Mar 26, 2020
  • Qualcomm will not give you much refreshers or bonus. You should join apple and get promoted to ict3 pretty quickly and make a lot of money in the coming few years.
    Mar 26, 2020 0
  • New
    newgrad10

    New

    newgrad10
    OP
    Thanks for all the help guys! I decided to go ahead with Qualcomm. Was a very difficult decision though.
    Apr 4, 2020 3
    • New
      newgrad10

      New

      newgrad10
      OP
      And why is that buddy?
      Apr 4, 2020
    • You would make ict3 at apple in two review cycles. Refreshers for ict3 is 75-90k rsu every year. You won't get any refreshers at Qualcomm which come even remotely close to that. I know this because my close friend moved from Qualcomm to apple and scored a 100% increase in tc.
      Apr 4, 2020
  • Netflix
    kutumb

    Go to company page Netflix

    kutumb
    Qualcomm
    Apr 4, 2020 0
  • Intel
    coolbatman

    Go to company page Intel

    coolbatman
    Its interesting situation, Apple good brand name to be associated with, QCT good work,
    If you decided to join Apple its your responsibility to make effort to switch your career into development, but believe it or not it hell difficult to switch career path.
    Its a decision and consequences, but I know it tough choice.
    Mar 27, 2020 0