[th33ngineer]

> and reputation intact

I'm staying at [large SV company] for now BECAUSE OF their reputation of hiring smart engineers, so that I will be able to hopefully get a gig at a more employee-friendly company later in life. New grads that were in my position often don't have much of a choice, and being offered the ability to pay off my student debt almost immediately at 22 seemed irresponsible to pass up. It's been 4 years and my mental health has degraded for sure (and the work I am doing is not glamorous in the slightest) but my savings are piling up and the thought that this is only temporary (and will give me a nice financial cushion) will keep me going until it's unbearable.

[pavel_lishin]

So when do you decide to leave? Do you have a magic dollar amount? A particular mental health symptom you're waiting to develop? I'm not sure what you're waiting for. Four years at a company is a long time; it's not like you'd be accused of nonsense like job-hopping.