You don't understand the Silicon Valley grind mindset :) I personally agree with you - I am happy working on interesting stuff, getting a good salary, and don't need a promo. Most times I switched jobs it was a temporary lowering of my total comp and often the level. But most Googlers are obsessed with levels/promotion, talk about it, and the frustration is real. They are hyper ambitious and see level as their validation.
And if you join as a PhD fresh grad (RS or SWE), L4 salary is ok, but not amazing compared to costs of living there. From L6 on it starts to be really really good.
And if you join as a PhD fresh grad (RS or SWE), L4 salary is ok, but not amazing compared to costs of living there. From L6 on it starts to be really really good.