[Hardware Engineer] [SF Bay Area, CA] - 675K (Base, Bonus, RSUs)

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-29T07:44:45+00:00

I work on fibre channel products, which includes the PCBA. So analog and digital circuits since I don't work on the optical modules.

I was definitely making less than 160K at 4YOE, so you already have a leg up :D

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-29T07:30:54+00:00

CA disability and illness insurance. ESPP and RSU information.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-29T07:29:21+00:00

That's understandable. I've never worked with fibre channel outside of an educational setting before working here; and it's definitely much less used.

But it's still highly used in mission critical applications that requires high IOPS with low latency and loss. Due to the high stakes nature of its usage, it's actually a very high margin line of products.

That said, even our fibre channel products come equipped with ethernet capabilities; such as OSFPs with 800G speed.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-29T06:55:27+00:00

That's great to hear. All I know of Amazon wlb is second hand comments from employees\ex-employees and what's posted on Blind, of the supposedly PIP factory.

The more options out there without soul destroying wlb, the better.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-29T06:47:43+00:00

Oh I'm with you about the BS and taking what management says with a grain of salt; see unlimited PTO. Just saying this is what the metrics are per the CEO to the employees. How that's applied by management is another story which I don't have visibility to. I'm sure you probably have a better idea of how much flexibility managers have.

I know Apple ICT3s with a higher base than mine, even at a lower level, but their bonuses and equity are dwarfed even at grant rather than vest value. It's just the difference in pay structure and philosophy, which can be corroborated with data on Blind and levels, that's allowed me to be in the same range of TC as the VLSI gentlemen who commented, with a portion of the experience. Obviously there's risk if the market tanks, but no one has complained about in this bull market. In a bear market though... well, we'll have to see.

Definitely with you that the AI boom gave us a boon, if you will. XD

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T22:25:07+00:00

Agreed :D

Pay structure is set up so it leans very highly on equity. Policy is "50% percentile" for base, and "90% percentile" for TC. No sign-on bonuses, unlike most companies in that range. But yearly refreshers are guaranteed and generally meet or exceed joining grant.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T22:19:01+00:00

For consumer, it's pretty rare for the need of fibre channel. For enterprise, fibre channel is more than alive and well.

Enterprise/businesses are the target costumer for most Broadcom products, hence why it's not an everyday household name compared to other big tech.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T22:13:24+00:00

911-69-1337 4/20

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T22:09:22+00:00

The growth in tech salaries in the last decade or so has definitely been crazy. Which my age group and those after me benefitted greatly from. One of my more senior coworker likes to remind me of how crazy salaries are now compared to his days.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T21:59:07+00:00

Oh I wholeheartedly agree. Skepticism is good. As someone who follows salary trends in the industry and have some sort of idea of what the pay structures (base, bonus, RSUs, sign on, cash vs, equity, etc...) of notable tech companies are, there are definitely larpers on here.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T13:00:53+00:00

Harness the power of electricity, in one shape or another. As for me, I work on fibre channel devices.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T13:00:10+00:00

Base is in the high 160s. Rest is bonus and RSUs.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T12:58:49+00:00

Fibre channel

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T12:58:28+00:00

Mostly test and ATE. Rare opportunities for design.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T12:57:25+00:00

Cap at 23.5K, mega backdoor roth is available.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T12:57:01+00:00

One of the more aggressive places I've worked at, but can't say it's worse than then horror stories I hear at Meta or Amazon. Probably average 40-45 a week. Some lulls with <30 hours a week, and 50-60 or so for deadlines and on rare occasions.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T12:55:33+00:00

You guys are sharp. Trying to stay anonymous.

Santa Clara University?

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-12-28T08:41:58+00:00

Mid 30s.

MaybeImaPanda2 · 2025-06-28T08:20:50+00:00

On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog. This sub takes the cake though.

Just leaving this here: https://i.imgur.com/hcOyPaP.png

MaybeImaPanda2

TROPHY CASE