• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Engineering Job offer came in today how do i negotiate

B

BullsOnParade

Golden Member
Got offered a position as a Controls Engineer with a fairly large ($18 billion) tech company that has fingers in lots of pies, mainly IT but has this engineering division. Job location is in a large town (250k pop.) in rural south GA.

They're offer is 48k plus from what I can tell decent benefits which they estimate to be worth 15k. I get a potential 10% raise every 6months for the first 18months depending on performance evals. Potential 63k in 18months. Assuming 5% raises then 55k in 18mo.

401k equivalent (call it matched asset plan) I can put in 15% of base they will match 50% of first 3%. Medical/Dental/Vision/Prescription, 3% after tax pension, 2weeks vacation (rolls over), life insurance, disability etc.., education compensation 5,200 yearly.

I've been researching salaries, asked fellow EE grads from GaTech. EE's overall are reporting 51k average starting. Controls seems to command a little more ~53. All my friends who are doing controls stuff seem to have started out lower or with worse benefits.

I have the following as leverage, company offered another Tech EE, he turned it down, they had to start the process over again. I was the only one out of 6 that knew what PLC's were and only one that got a second interview.

They were looking at either experienced or entry level, chose entry level. So perhaps they may be willing to pay more.

I have another phone interview this Friday about another manuf. controls job in Des Moines.

I still have some other leads, though no other offers.

I have a specific background in controls vs. general EE degree.

What do you guys suggest ? I want to say to them, that if they make a strong offer in the 50's I will commit to the offer.
 
That salary sounds about right in the south I guess. It really just depends on what the benefits are worth to you relative to other offers. Check my PM btw.
 
i would wait for your other offers and stall as long as possible. that's your only chance of negotiation.

also, i wouldn't fret over the couple $thou you'll be negotiating over. word gets around fast, and old guys don't appreciate it. and you will be depending on those people...

your first goal should be to get in the best position to learn as much as possible.
 
The group I will be working with is tiny 4-5 people. When the manager to be was interviewing me and doing the numbers he was careful to erase the figures so no one else would see. Their performance bonus program is insane. Every 6months for the first 18months I will be up for a 10% raise. I asked for more info regarding how many people got the raise what the avg was etc. , they said since it was a new thing they were doing for entry level candidates they weren't sure of the numbers.

In any case I am reluctant to take this immediately based on the offer because it is more a support/maintenance engineering role instead of a control design role. This is why I want to tell them I will take the offer if it were a little stronger.
 
This is how I did mine.

<business owner>: Our offer is <money> per year.
<evadman>: I appreciate that. However within the last year I have saved the company <number over 1 less than 15> million dollars. Because of that everyone in my business hit their maximum bonus's including senior management. I believe that a fair assesment of my value to the company is <original offer * 1.75>.
<business owner>: I can not do that. However you raise valid points. How does <original offer * 1.5> sound?
<evadman>: I accept your offer.
 
I would try to get a second offer from another firm and use it as a wedge, even if it is lower or the same. Then you can truthfully say that you have another offer, but would like to work for them, if they can increase their offer to the mid 50's range. If this does not work request a sign-on bonus of $3k at start and another $3k after 6 months.
Also find out what their typical merit increase is % wise, and request an evaluation and raise after 6 months, rather than the usual annual raise.

mdcrab
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
This is how I did mine.

<business owner>: Our offer is <money> per year.
<evadman>: I appreciate that. However within the last year I have saved the company <number over 1 less than 15> million dollars. Because of that everyone in my business hit their maximum bonus's including senior management. I believe that a fair assesment of my value to the company is <original offer * 1.75>.
<business owner>: I can not do that. However you raise valid points. How does <original offer * 1.5> sound?
<evadman>: I accept your offer.
Click to expand...

<evadman>: *gets to work on creating Doomsday device with 4-5 person team*
 
First job? Jsut get your damned experience. Do a good job, then you can command your salary.

Or realize the truth .... sstart becoming financially independant (invest, invest, invest).

I'm a 5 year software engineer. Probably average even though I have more potential. I decided working for someone else is total BS. So I am now into investing via stocks and real estate. F being someone elses bitch.
 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
First job? Jsut get your damned experience. Do a good job, then you can command your salary.

Or realize the truth .... sstart becoming financially independant (invest, invest, invest).

I'm a 5 year software engineer. Probably average even though I have more potential. I decided working for someone else is total BS. So I am now into investing via stocks and real estate. F being someone elses bitch.
Click to expand...

you sound like someone who has been violated:laugh:
 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
First job? Jsut get your damned experience. Do a good job, then you can command your salary.

Or realize the truth .... sstart becoming financially independant (invest, invest, invest).

I'm a 5 year software engineer. Probably average even though I have more potential. I decided working for someone else is total BS. So I am now into investing via stocks and real estate. F being someone elses bitch.
Click to expand...

man, someone hates his job. here's a :beer: for ya.
 
Originally posted by: cheapgoose
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
First job? Jsut get your damned experience. Do a good job, then you can command your salary.

Or realize the truth .... sstart becoming financially independant (invest, invest, invest).

I'm a 5 year software engineer. Probably average even though I have more potential. I decided working for someone else is total BS. So I am now into investing via stocks and real estate. F being someone elses bitch.
Click to expand...

man, someone hates his job. here's a :beer: for ya.
Click to expand...


nothign wrong with it though...man speaks the truth....its jsut that not all of us have the luxury of simply investing...

we have to become somebodies bitch so that we can get that far😱
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top