sharing my numbers since I benefited from others doing the same.
Role: Software Engineer, L4 (mid-level) Location: San Francisco (hybrid, 3 days onsite) Base: $185,000 RSUs: $280,000 over 4 years, cliff at 1 year Bonus: 10% target (felt discretionary in practice) Signing: $30,000
Total year 1 including signing: roughly $285k. Year 2 onward closer to $255k at current stock value.
I had two competing offers (one backend role at a fintech, one at a mid-stage startup) so there was some negotiation room. They moved $10k on base and added $20k to signing after I pushed once. Recruiter was professional about it.
Stock vests quarterly after cliff. One thing to check: Asana stock has had some volatility, factor that in when comparing to a more stable offer.
4 replies
contractor_kai
solid numbers. the 10% bonus 'feeling discretionary' is worth flagging. ask during negotiation what payout has actually looked like over the last 2 years. 'target' bonuses that rarely hit 100% are effectively a base reduction.
backend_bekah
the RSU cliff is standard but the volatility part is real. I looked at Asana's stock chart before deciding to engage with them at all. worth knowing what you're comparing on an apples basis.
numbers_only
yeah I modeled it at current price and at a 20% haircut. still came out ahead of the fintech offer on base comp. I took it. we'll see.
market_realist
for SF L4 that base feels about 10k below market right now but the signing closes the gap a bit for year 1. if you're planning to stay 2+ years you want to make sure the equity is growing, not just vesting.