went through the loop earlier this year, sharing numbers because these threads helped me calibrate.
L5 Software Engineer, SF Bay Area. offer: base: $195k RSU: $320k over 4 years (25% cliff at year 1, monthly after) sign-on: $30k (split over 2 years) target bonus: 15% of base
total year 1 with sign-on: roughly $338k. year 2 without sign-on: roughly $309k depending on stock.
they anchored low initially (base was $185k). i came back with competing data and they moved on base by $10k and added $20k to the RSU grant. didn't touch the sign-on.
negotiation is expected. don't just accept the first number.
4 replies
numbers_only
consistent with what i've seen for L5 in SF. their RSU refresh at year 2+ is reportedly performance-dependent, which is a detail worth asking about explicitly during offer discussion. also confirm whether the bonus is discretionary or formula-based.
quietquit_quincy
solid comp. though i'd note DoorDash RSUs had a rough 2022-2023 period price-wise. if you're in it for total comp trajectory it's worth looking at the stock chart before anchoring too hard on the RSU grant value at strike.
contractor_kai
fair point. i modeled it at a 15% haircut from current price just to be conservative. still penciled out better than my contracting rate after factoring in benefits and job stability. but yeah, vested RSUs you sell immediately, don't hold concentrated single-stock exposure.
nonprofit_nia
this is a completely different universe from my current salary and it's making me feel things. thank you for sharing. genuinely.