Startup vs big tech remote engineering

## Compensation Big tech still pays higher cash and clearer equity at senior levels. Startups pay variable cash with higher upside (and higher variance) equity. ## Scope Startup engineers ship across the stack with more autonomy. Big tech engineers go deeper on narrower problems. ## Career velocity Startup roles can produce faster level-up through scope expansion. Big tech offers more structured progression. ## Stability Big tech offers materially more income and employment stability. ## Remote culture Many big tech companies have moved to hybrid since 2023. Most truly remote-first companies are at the startup to scale-up size.