Career
How to Negotiate Your First Senior Role
Strategies for negotiating compensation, title, and scope when transitioning from mid-level to senior engineering.
by Alex Morgan
Know Your Market Value
Research compensation data for your role, level, and location. Use levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and conversations with peers to establish a range before any negotiation.
Lead with Impact
Frame your value in terms of business outcomes, not tasks completed. “I reduced page load by 42%” is more compelling than “I optimized the frontend.”
Negotiate Beyond Salary
Consider the full package:
- Equity and vesting schedule
- Title and scope of responsibility
- Remote work flexibility
- Professional development budget
- Signing bonus
When to Walk Away
If an offer is significantly below market and the company won’t budge, it’s okay to decline. A bad deal sets a low baseline for future raises.