sharing what I got for a senior SWE offer (L5 equivalent) for a backend role on their network services team. remote, based in the US. base: $195k equity: $300k RSUs over 4 years with 1-year cliff bonus: ~10% target, paid annually signing: $40k (negotiated up from $25k initial)
total year-one somewhere around $320k depending on stock price at vest. their stock is publicly traded so no illiquidity discount.
for context: 8 YOE, prior role was at a mid-size infrastructure company not FAANG. they were not the highest offer I had but the stock is liquid and the scope on the team was good. they do negotiate. the initial offer had signing at $25k and they moved it to $40k with one counter.
5 replies
contractor_kai
that bonus structure is worth flagging: 10% of $195k is $19.5k at target. pretty solid for a non-faang comp band. the equity at L5 tracks with what I've seen shared elsewhere. did they disclose the refresh cadence?
numbers_only
yes, annual refresh grants, performance-based. didn't get a specific number for what a typical refresh looks like but was told it's meaningful for strong performers. I'd treat it as a maybe not a guarantee in the math.
market_realist
liquid equity and a real base from a company that's not going anywhere is underrated right now. a lot of people chasing startup equity that has a 50% chance of being worth nothing.
visa_vik
do you know if they sponsor H1B? that's the other variable I track before even applying anywhere.
numbers_only
yes they do, and they're on the cap-exempt list through their university partnerships for some roles. recruiter confirmed they sponsor transfers too. worth asking upfront on your recruiter call.