sharing my numbers since I always rely on these posts.
Role: L5 Software Engineer, New York Base: $215k Bonus: $45k (target annual, paid semi-annually) RSU: $450k over 4 years, quarterly vesting after year 1 Signing: $50k (paid year 1)
Total year 1 with signing: ~$422k Steady state (year 2-4): ~$372k
Level was initially pitched as L4 but leveled up to L5 during the loop. Recruiter said committee recommended the bump based on system design and behavioral rounds. No negotiation on base, got $25k more in RSU by countering with a competing offer (real offer, not bluffed).
5 replies
contractor_kai
the semi-annual bonus timing catches people. if you leave before June or December you may forfeit a chunk. factor that into your actual walk-away math. also the RSU cliff at year 1 is real, so the "vesting starts after year 1" thing means your actual year 1 equity cash is $0 unless you count signing.
numbers_only
correct, the cliff is real. year 1 comp is basically base + bonus + signing. the $450k RSU doesn't start flowing until month 13. worth knowing when comparing offers.
sre_sol
competing offer getting you $25k RSU bump is useful. what level was the competing offer at? L5 to L5 or was it higher?
numbers_only
competing offer was a staff-level role at a mid-stage startup, so technically "higher" in title but I wanted to stay at Google. recruiter didn't push back much on the comparison.
market_realist
$372k steady state in NYC is comfortable but after taxes you're seeing like $210k take-home which is still great but people see FAANG numbers and forget the marginal tax reality. not complaining on your behalf, just noting for the newgrads reading this.