[sebular]

The simple answer is that "whatever metrics you prefer to use" include qualifications that overseas engineers often cannot satisfy.

Great engineers are human members of a team, and there's more to a team member than their LeetCode score (seriously?) and/or how many GitHub stars they've obtained.

Just some examples off the top of my head:

If you're building products to target US-based consumers, you don't need to provide as much contextual information to a US-based engineer. They will have a stronger intuitive understanding of the product, and there's a better chance that they'll know when it's appropriate to push back and question something. There's a reduced cognitive load in communicating with them. And of course, there's a better chance you're going to enjoy spending hours working with them.

[masterof0]

> Great engineers are human members of a team, and there's more to a team member than their LeetCode score (seriously?) and/or how many GitHub stars they've obtained. I was referring to performance metrics in general, I didn't said those were the ones to take into account. I have definitely seen people here in HN referring to github stars, stackoverflow points, etc... as some sort of badge of honor.

Also I find your answer pretty condescending towards folks overseas, although that's your opinion. In my team at Google, we have people from all over the world, and they are amazing. Don't see how they don't have the "required qualifications" you are referring to.

[hnfong]

It really depends on how much influence the engineer has over the final product, and whether it's intended to be marketed locally or globally. The GP's concerns is probably more relevant in small-ish teams developing a US-centric product.

I wouldn't say it's an overarching concern that would justify turning away overseas (disclaimer: not located in US myself) talent, but can't say he's totally wrong in specific contexts..

[sebular]

My apologies. Your anecdotal experiences on a random team at Google clearly prove that anyone who hires US-based engineers at market rates is making a giant financial blunder.

Also it wasn’t even slightly condescending of you to declare that US-based engineers are overpaid and ask HN for validation. It was just a brave stance taken by a bold intellectual who knows better than everyone else.