For those of you that made the QCOM -> Apple jump. What's it like? Are there mandatory hours? I have 4 weeks of vacation right now.. do I lose that and only get 2 weeks (i.e., can you negotiate for and get more vacation days)?
How about work/career? Does the work you do only focus on one thing (task they hired you for) and you keep repeating that over and over? Any chance to not be a monkey there and use your brain?
How is pay? How is stress level?
@2toa - Usually base salary is standard and difficult to negotiate. You have much greater leeway when negotiating sign on bonus and stock option, that what makes the move more appealing.
@mrd, this was in bah area? I think 35% should be standard when moving from san diego to bay area. Even stingy qcom gave me a pay adjustment when I IOS’ed from diego to the bay
I joined Apple from Qualcomm pmic vi team last year and it was the best decision ever. 35% salary bump plus generous sign on bonus and RSU. Stress level varies from team to team, but in general you get rewarded for your hard work regardless. Expect to work efficiently and be respected as long as your produce quality outcome.
Managers at Qcom s---s. I left mainly because of bad management in my team who played favorism and were downright rude and unprofessional most of the time. It seems that Qualcomm values bad managers.
I live in south bay - san jose (near almaden). The commute to any decent company is horrendous. I am renting and it is really bad/expensive for a family with a single earner. If your total comp is not approaching $225 with a family, i would mot consider bay area. If your spouse works, then money should be ok, just a more stressful life . If you can handle that, then there is a chance to make good money here.
One other thing about bay area, thhere is always another big name company to work for. You can literally do nothing at some companies (intel, qcom, samsung, brcm, etc) and still get paid 200+. Once fired/laid off, move on to the next one. Can easily span a 20-30 year career witb no actual output.
No its not any better in Austin vs California. The GPU team is a little better, but its all the idiots from intrinsity.
I am OP - really appreciate the replies. My interview is in Austin. Is Apple-Austin any better? It is in the new SOC team.
Apple PD in California is pretty horrific. Austin isn’t much better. They pay well, and that compensation grid at offer time is impressive. Be aware you’re expected to work tons.
30% more pay, but stress and no peace. Is it worth it? I would avoid working in companies based out of California.
I used to think Qualcomm was bad. Physical design and circuit teams at Apple and companies in the Bay Area in general are worse. So much a-- licking and s---ing to get promotions and become managers. First and second level managers are technically incompetent yes-men and more like program managers. I have no ambitions to get into management and am tolerating this as long as they pay me well and stock does well. Of course, different groups have different cultures. People in Austin have better work life balance and work culture. I regret moving to the Bay Area due to high housing costs and work culture and am trying to transfer to Austin.
It depends on the team. I know someone who's well compensated there and comes home before 6. UE teams sweat. It is similar to Qcom where it takes long time to get stuff done; whatever that should a few weeks takes months.
130 would translate to 170-180 in south bay.
@veh Holy crap, where did you learn English?
So far worst than qcom . If op not worried about loosing job make some mess and make headache to mgr and leavel
Both being in CA, main difference will be in housing cost.
Just compare mortgage or rent of a place comparable to what you have.
How much should we earn in bay area to keep the same living quality of SD? Assume you are the only one who is employed.
make it simple here
Income in SD 130k = ??? in bay area
Apple is a truly awful & unethical technology company and the bay area is a nightmare not worth enduring for a higher salary.
Apple is the sweatshop for engineers
I joined apple from Qualcomm last year. Best decision of my life. I negotiated an extra week of vacation time. They gave me 50% more stocks in $ terms than I lost at Qualcomm when I left (unvested). 27% salary bump. Health plan rocks. Unbelievable sign on. Best - no forced weekend work. Whenever I worked I got paid! In the form of gift certificates. Win win.
I 100% support you, brother. Apple values good engineers. Or you could think about Wow-way(Huawei).
Get ready to be called every weekend. Apple is a horrible place to work in the Bay Area and only slightly better in Austin.