dropping my offer numbers since i couldn't find current data when i was doing my research.
role: Software Engineer L4, backend location: Redwood City (hybrid 3 days) offer date: April 2026 base: $185k annual bonus target: 15% ($27,750) RSU grant: $300k over 4 years (cliff at 1 year, monthly vest after) sign-on: $25k (partially recoupable year 1)
total year-1 comp roughly $280k depending on stock price, which has been pretty flat. RSU is Box stock, not a high-growth play.
i had a competing offer from a Series C that was slightly higher total comp but riskier equity. went with Box for the stability and WLB reputation. the hiring manager was explicit that the team didn't have an on-call rotation, which was a factor.
negotiated the sign-on up from $15k to $25k. they said base was firm at band. RSU had a small amount of flex but not much.
4 replies
numbers_only
solid data point, thanks. base tracks with what i've seen for L4 at Box. RSU at $300k is on the lower end of what SWEs with competing offers have gotten but not wildly off. the sign-on negotiation tip is useful, they consistently seem to have more flex there than base.
sdr_sky
worth being honest with yourself that Box stock has underperformed pretty significantly over 3-4 years. $300k RSU grant sounds real but the actual value at vest is anybody's guess. the decision to take it for WLB is valid, just price the equity conservatively.
contractor_kai
completely fair. i modeled it at a 10% haircut from grant price and still liked the deal. but yeah, not a growth-stock situation. that's not why you take Box.
nonprofit_nia
the no-on-call detail is doing a lot of work here honestly. that's a real quality of life difference people undervalue when just looking at total comp numbers.