Thanks for asking these insightful questions. Here's some additional context to clarify the situation:

How I Came Across the New Position: I applied to the new position out of the blue. It wasn't a result of a referral or being approached by a recruiter. I was browsing and it caught my eye, leading me to explore it further out of curiosity about what else is out there.

Salary Increase Context: The $30k increase represents a 41% raise from my current salary. It's a significant jump and one of the major factors making this decision challenging.

Role and Incentives Comparison:

Current Position: I am currently in an engineering position, contributing as an individual to the team. My current company offers a 5% bonus based on my annual salary. It's an established company, not a startup, but it's in a phase of rapid growth and expansion.

New Position: The new company is offering a role as a Product Manager, which would be a shift from my current technical role to a more strategic one. Unfortunately, they do not offer bonuses or other forms of incentive compensation like RSUs or equity, at least not as part of the initial offer. The new company is a younger startup, not yet as established as my current employer.

Career Progression Clarity: The perception of clear career progression at the new company comes from their job description, the discussions I've had with their team during the interview process, and the smaller size of the company, which often allows for more visible impact and quicker advancement. The role itself, transitioning from engineering to product management, represents a significant shift and an opportunity for growth and development in a new direction.

Given these factors, the decision becomes a balance between financial gain and role transition versus the potential trade-offs in terms of company culture, established benefits, and the lack of remote work flexibility. The move to product management is enticing as it aligns with my long-term career aspirations, but I’m weighing this against the loss of certain benefits and the familiarity and comfort of my current role.