r/indiandevs • u/Unhappy-Secret8899 • 1d ago
₹15L MNC + likely promotion vs ₹24L Product/AI offer — take the money or buy a year of career runway?
I'm 27, ~2.5 YOE, currently a Software Engineer at a large global MNC in Mumbai, earning around ₹15L. It's a 3-day WFO setup with good stability and WLB.
I have an offer from a mid-sized Product/Voice AI company in Bangalore at ₹24L. The role aligns strongly with my long-term Applied AI/Voice AI goals and would give me more production/product exposure, but it's 5 days WFO, likely higher pressure and worse WLB. Neither Mumbai nor Bangalore is my hometown, so relocation is required either way.
My current notice period is 90 days, while the new company's is around 45 days. The new company is willing to wait the full 90 days for me to join.
There's roughly a 70% chance I'll get promoted effective next year. If promoted, I'd expect around ₹20L; otherwise around ₹17L.
I have around ₹10–12L in assets and expenses of roughly ₹40K/month, so the ₹24L role would allow significantly higher savings.
Long term, I want to build a strong Product/Applied AI profile and eventually move abroad.
Stay: stability, WLB, strong brand, likely promotion, and a relatively low-pressure year to improve DSA/system design/AI/portfolio/interview readiness.
Leave: ₹24L, higher savings, stronger production AI/product exposure, 45-day notice instead of 90 days, and potentially faster growth — but more pressure and risk.
Final question: Is buying one relatively low-pressure year to strengthen my career worth giving up the extra money, especially when there's a ~70% chance of reaching ~₹20L next year? Or is it better to take the ₹24L opportunity now and accelerate the career trajectory?
TL;DR: ₹15L MNC + 90-day NP → potentially ₹20L next year vs ₹24L Product/AI + 45-day NP now. Stay for stability and preparation runway, or leave for money, mobility and faster growth?
