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I am grad (MS) student at a top 10 university in USA - ML/DL specialization - published author at a top-3 NLP conference - 1 year of backend engineering experience and FAANG research internship. Visa status: Currently on F1 and would be working on OPT going ahead. I will graduating in Summer 2023 and have the following offers: Popular series C product-based startup pivoting towards adding AI-based tools Base: 145k Stocks worth: 155k (vesting over 4 years) Remote friendly but I might go to SF. Role: ML Engg. Pre-seed SaaS startup: Base: 115k (might match) Stocks: 0.0x % (Not sure about the vesting period) Remote friendly but SF preferred. Role: ML Engg. Pros for Series C startup: 1. Popular and an emerging brand name. 2. Upcoming and new partnerships being announced with FAANG. 3. Job safety and higher total comp. 4. Get to own the products end-to-end, take decisions and see the overall workflow of dev. Cons for Series C startup: 1. Less people with relevant research/PhD background - Just started the AI effort. 2. Might work on a number of ML application projects without a proper direction. Pros for pre-seed startup: 1. More research-minded and accomplished team (Ex-FAANG scientists). 2. Equity can give a higher upside. 3. Clear goal w.r.t ML application. Cons for pre-seed startup: 1. Less overall comp, might need to work on a large number of things and not just ML Engg. 2. Startups mostly fail and the equity might be worthless. 3. Less job safety being an immigrant. 4. Can lead to bad work life balance. In the future, I want to build a strong profile so that I can apply to top reseach labs for the role of ML engineer/ applied scientist or keep the door for PhD open if required. Would appreciate any help regarding the offer comparison, fairness, as well as other tips w.r.t negotiation. #machinelearningengineer #openai #googlebrain #NLP #offer #negotiate #sanfrancisco
Any company that says “remote available but location Z preferred” is a trap for anyone who wants to be remote. For the offer numbers I’ll leave that to the MLEs.
Yeah its like officially they support remote but might be good for me to move to SF because of the AI/ML startups rise.
@op can write up on what was asked in the interviews, be as detailed as possible so helps others thx
Why do you write eng with two g's?
At the stage of career you’re in I’d evaluate your options based on the team you’re going to be working with rather than the company. Join the team where you can learn more. TC will catchup eventually.
Thanks!
Generally would agree with Dialpad's advice. But in this market, to catchup eventually with TC, you need to stay employed, with work permit. Still suggest looking at a more stable place, not a startup, for next 1-2 years.
Startups are not safe to be honest. Especially pre seed who offer over the band.
If they’re remote friendly why would you go to SF? From what I’ve heard even $145k is a small amount to live off there. I make $90k in San Diego and I’m struggling
Here's the catch- they are not remote friendly
I had higher/better entry-level MLE offers in 2018 coming in with an MS from a no-name school, no publications, and no experience outside of no-name internships. I'd keep searching.
I see, can you suggest a fair comp for my level?
You’re low balled?
Yes compared to FAANG the offer is a bit low, but in the current economy I am thinking it to be a fair offer given I have 1 year exp. Can you suggest some alternate numbers.
TC of at least 200k with a base of $160k given all the stuff you listed about yourself. You’re getting paid the same amount as some dude from a state school who killed the interview loop. Either you need to interview better or you’re getting low balled hard! My advice: take the offer that gives you the most WLB. Practice interviewing like it’s your job. Test the market in 6months. You should target a comp of $250-$350 if you’re as good as you say you are.
Don’t do start ups especially while under OPT. The H-1B lottery is at an all time low in terms of success rates. STEM OPT only lasts like 3 years max and then you’re stuck with trying to get the H-1B lottery or you lose work authorization in the US. If you want to stay in the US long term I would go with the bigger more stable company and push for green card sponsorship before your STEM OPT runs out and ask to be enrolled in the H-1B lottery as soon as you join to maximize your chances.
Thanks for the advice!
There is a chance all your offers will be rescinded in month . But what do I know .. right ?
Yep, gotta play with what I have, who knows the future :)