[rune-space]

Compensation is essentially top-of-industry, maybe with the exception of the Big 3 AI companies (that’s assuming you believe their RSU valuations, and that an IPO will occur).

Some projects are OPSEC-restricted, yes.

No massages, classes, laundry.

Many 9-5 people.

[fooker]

> Compensation is essentially top-of-industry

For junior candidates yes. Anyone with 5+ years of good experience, no, it's about half of what you'd make at Google.

[wildzzz]

For those in the defense industry, Anduril pays pretty well.

[fooker]

I don't doubt it.

Still about half of what a senior role in big tech would amount to.

This is an interesting trend for a bunch of newer companies, pay competitively for junior roles but significantly below industry for experienced candidates.

[therobots927]

Classic cult recruitment tactic. Lure people in, hook them, then trap them.

[rune-space]

Your claim is that they don't practice at-will employment?

[bigyabai]

Obviously not? The bigger issue is trusting them not to lord your RSUs over you.

[therobots927]

Are you familiar with the term "cult"?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

[rune-space]

You’re talking Google L5? Anduril L5 is similar YOE. I’m seeing ~400k TC for L5 at Google in levels.fyi, Anduril is significantly higher.

[togetheragainor]

If you're using levels.fyi as a reference, Anduril pays its L5s significantly less, not more: https://www.levels.fyi/companies/anduril-industries/salaries...

[rune-space]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45084139

[fooker]

No, when I say 5 years I mean something like a PhD + five years in a relevant job. That would be maybe L6 at Google unless you're coasting.

[rune-space]

Of all the moved goalposts…

[Aurornis]

> Compensation is essentially top-of-industry, maybe with the exception of the Big 3 AI companies (that’s assuming you believe their RSU valuations, and that an IPO will occur).

I guess it comes down to betting on the IPO then?

The two recent data points I have are from one person who interviewed, got an offer, and his only reaction was “lol, not a chance”. The other person I know who works there now (according to LinkedIn) was a coworker who was cut for underperformance when we worked together years ago. I’ve heard so many different stories about what it’s like that I don’t know what to believe any more.

Calling Anduril comp “significantly higher” than Google does go completely against what I’ve heard from others though. I’ll have to go look again.

EDIT: The levels.fyi data looks great for juniors but definitely isn’t higher than Google for L5+: https://www.levels.fyi/companies/anduril-industries/salaries...

[rune-space]

Anduril is a decent base with a huge gamble on equity, Google is a sure shot.

People that started a year ago at Anduril are today making slightly more than they would be had they stared at Google. People that started 2 years ago are making far more than they would be. And it keeps growing – exponentially – from there.

[stogot]

Exponential growth in salary? Wow!

Not realistic…….

[rune-space]

2x every year for the past 8+ years. Realistic? Maybe not. Historic? Absolutely.