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$900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

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Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#51

Post by wmf »

atlasunshrugged wrote: post #30

Do the PPU's create an alignment issue? I mean, theoretically these folks are supposed to be working towards AGI, but doing it safely... but I can imagine that an extra 500K+ is a pretty big incentive to hurry up and create something that can help you make a profit so that they can get their payout. Of course, with the outside investment from Microsoft, maybe this is somewhat moot anyways as MSFT definitely has a ver…

Engineers don't control the strategy. If Altman decides to reinvest all free cash flow into growth and safety instead of profits (which is not unusual in tech) the employees can't/won't stop him.

Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#53

Post by onetokeoverthe »

[deleted] wrote: post #15
almost_usual wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It’s important to reiterate that the PPUs inherently are not redeemable for value if OpenAI does not turn a profit. That said, there are investors that have been willing to pay for these PPUs and that’s where the value being told to candidates is derived from. > In conversations with recruiters we’ve heard from some candidates that OpenAI is communicating that they don’t expect to turn a profit until they reach the…

[deleted]

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Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#54

Post by ericlewis »

Solvency wrote: post #23
nomilk wrote: post #11

Sam Altman said something to the effect of 'OpenAI has the highest talent density of any company'. OpenAI is modest in employee count and extreme in employee talent, with its employees rewarded commensurately.

Can we define talent. Also context matters. Some companies have lower "talent density" because their size requires some level of operational headcount.

I know more than half a dozen extremely top of their field for sure engineers who work there. Even having them would be an insane concentration of talent imo.

Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#55

Post by TechBro8615 »

ldjkfkdsjnv wrote: post #35
rvz wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only when overfunded with VC money. At that point, they are not hiring you, me or anyone who directly applies themselves via the job form. They are hiring their friends from elite circles.

The unfortunate reality is that those elite circles usually do have the best among them. And having worked in FAANGs, there is some aspect of meritocracy, the code doesnt lie

FAANG employees sure are full of themselves considering they've worked at companies that have failed to innovate for two decades. What was the last successful product that Google launched with all their highly paid engineers?

Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#56

Post by MichaelRazum »

Trasmatta wrote: post #21

Looks like they don't hire remote, otherwise I would absolutely be applying right now...no way am I moving to SF. (Not that I think I would have a realistic chance, since I'm sure they're getting the best of the best applicants right now. But still.)

Do you guys know some good companies that offer interesting remote ML jobs? The package is competitive for sure. I don't care that much about the pay, more about interesting stuff.

Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#58

Post by almost_usual »

wmf wrote: post #37
almost_usual wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It’s important to reiterate that the PPUs inherently are not redeemable for value if OpenAI does not turn a profit. That said, there are investors that have been willing to pay for these PPUs and that’s where the value being told to candidates is derived from. > In conversations with recruiters we’ve heard from some candidates that OpenAI is communicating that they don’t expect to turn a profit until they reach the…

If OpenAI has a monopoly on AGI within the current neoliberal capitalist framework they'll make trillions before the system collapses. It's like Aramco but bigger.

Which still sucks for PPUs because growth is capped 10x.

Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#59

Post by sieabahlpark »

asimpletune wrote: post #33
sidcool wrote: post #17

Isn't it for member of technical staff? It's a high level position.

MTS is usually what a recent college graduate gets promoted to, once they've passed their sort of 1 year trial period. You can +/- that timeline about a year, but more or less that's what it is, at least from what I've seen in SF.

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Re: $900k Median Package for Engineers at OpenAI

#60

Post by biztos »

m3kw9 wrote: post #45

You better perform with that pay

Or...?

I mean, Netflix-style hunger-games management might be their thing, and if I got in there at $900K (I did apply!) -- then sure, I'd be working nights and weekends just to shine.

But even at infinite comp, above a certain size there will be dead weight.

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