Hi, I'm a hardware engineer that recently moved from Europe to Silicon Valley and believe that my market value is about $100k/yr. I helped a startup (2 founders) for a few days by designing and building hardware of the first prototype. They want to hire me but they cannot pay 100k/yr for salary. Instead, they want to offer me part cash and part stock. I'm very new to Silicon Valley and know little about the invest stages of a startup. For me it is completely new to get my salary partly in cash and partly in stock.
Let me give you some background about the company, before I post my questions. Right now the startup has 2 founders in Silicon Valley and a few people doing software in another country. The founders are very convinced about the future success of their product. They have more than 10 years experience in founding and have started several companies. Those companies are so successful that now they can spent 100% of their time on this new startup. They are currently in the seed fase and want to show of with the first prototype to possible customers. They have self funded this new startup.
For my personal situation: Normally I would ask a salary equal to my market value of $100k/yr. I need at least $50k/yr to pay my bills and to save a little. I have never worked for a startup in Europe or US, so I'm completely new to company stock.
So here are the questions:
- Is there a big risk in stock?
- is it acceptable to have 50% cash and 50% stock?
- what salary should I ask for a temporary position (2mo's), and how is it divided into cash and stock?
- what salary should I ask for a long term position (>1yr), and how is it divided into cash and stock?
- where can I learn best about salary for engineers in startup companies?
I really appreciate your replies! Thanks!
Let me give you some background about the company, before I post my questions. Right now the startup has 2 founders in Silicon Valley and a few people doing software in another country. The founders are very convinced about the future success of their product. They have more than 10 years experience in founding and have started several companies. Those companies are so successful that now they can spent 100% of their time on this new startup. They are currently in the seed fase and want to show of with the first prototype to possible customers. They have self funded this new startup.
For my personal situation: Normally I would ask a salary equal to my market value of $100k/yr. I need at least $50k/yr to pay my bills and to save a little. I have never worked for a startup in Europe or US, so I'm completely new to company stock.
So here are the questions: - Is there a big risk in stock? - is it acceptable to have 50% cash and 50% stock? - what salary should I ask for a temporary position (2mo's), and how is it divided into cash and stock? - what salary should I ask for a long term position (>1yr), and how is it divided into cash and stock? - where can I learn best about salary for engineers in startup companies?
I really appreciate your replies! Thanks!