Got two Data Science offersMeta E4 DSPA low ball, HR only gave ranges and said I can negotiate with another offer to bump up the pay. Base: 171-190KBonus: 15%Equity: 150-220K / 4 yearsSign-on Bonus: unknown Total Comp / year: 234K~275KWas initially interviewing for E5 but somehow messed up and ended up with E4. Capital One Data Science ManagerBase: 215KBonus: 15K or double that if exceed expectationEquity: 20K if exceed expectationSign-on Bonus: 30K-----PhD, 3 yoe in a field similar to C1, current comp 160K so either one will be a better choice. My gut tells me to go with C1, but money-wise, does Meta mean a better pay long-term? I mean, with equity and refresh? Well... if I could survive there...

I voted C1, as culture trumps TC for me (unless significant disparity), but workplace culture is a HUGE factor for me personally. That said I might consider trying to negotiate for higher at Meta. Zuck seems to be going through some type of identity crisis (IMO) and already said he’s about to layoff a ton of people. He claims it’s not going to be data or ML folks, but I’ve seen friends at big tech get canned during mass layoffs in their first 1-2 years simply because they had less experience in the field (one a DS PhD from an Ivy at Meta) and companies wanted to cut more people than originally announced. The large severance was the only saving grace, and the severance can be totally worth the headache and you still technically have Meta on your resume with a legit systemic reason for having a short time there. Many hiring managers won’t think too much of it if they know 10%+ of the company’s staff just got cut simultaneously. Just an alternative perspective/food for thought.

I worked at C1 for 3 years and it was honestly great. The people were super kind and the culture is really good, at least on all the teams I was on. Performance management can be a tad political, but if you know how to write a brag sheet then you will be fine. I also felt really good about my job security there and only left because I was super interested in working on a project another company reached out to me on.

Look at the ceiling for data science at both companies. What’s the comp for the next level (levels)? How quickly usually people get promoted? Something tells me Meta E5 pays significantly more than whatever is the next level at Capital One. And at E6-E7 the difference is evens higher. Also from the brand name perspective — I might be mistaken — but Capital One isn’t a high regarded brand in tech/finance. This will be important when you look for your next role. Research which one will more likely land you something like Jane Street or whatever outlier company that pays the most. Think long term.

I'm taking Meta 10/10 times here.

Meta E4 vs. C1 DS Manager? - Levels.fyi Community

LZ in

Data Science Manager

Poll

Meta E4 vs. C1 DS Manager?

Got two Data Science offers

Meta E4 DSPA low ball, HR only gave ranges and said I can negotiate with another offer to bump up the pay.

Base: 171-190K
Bonus: 15%
Equity: 150-220K / 4 years
Sign-on Bonus: unknown
Total Comp / year: 234K~275K

Was initially interviewing for E5 but somehow messed up and ended up with E4.

Capital One Data Science Manager

Base: 215K
Bonus: 15K or double that if exceed expectation
Equity: 20K if exceed expectation
Sign-on Bonus: 30K

-----

PhD, 3 yoe in a field similar to C1, current comp 160K so either one will be a better choice.

My gut tells me to go with C1, but money-wise, does Meta mean a better pay long-term? I mean, with equity and refresh? Well... if I could survive there...

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TenuredGeekSoftware Engineer

In the long run, Meta equity will almost certainly do better than Capital One's equity, and considering the crazy run Meta had in recent years too it could be a better bet to work there than Capital One. On the flip side, you're picking between being an IC and a manager here which comes with a bunch of other considerations. Do you want to be a people manager or would you rather do your own work and not have to worry about other people in that way?

LZData Science Manager

Well... Capital One's "Manager" isn't actually people manager. In credit card companies (or Finance in general), "manager" is just a band level like E3/L4. In my current company (that is in the similar line of business as C1), there are "director" roles with 0 report, and this role is just a pay band for the company to give these more senior ICs a higher pay. That said, the Data Science Manager role at C1 is still IC, but the senior level IC.

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