Read this if you want to work in Switzerland's Big Tech
How to make $500k+ as a Software Engineer in Europe
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Zurich's Big Tech scene is heavily skewed toward R&D rather than traditional product work.
Google being the only exception, with an office of ~4k engineers working across both product and infrastructure, in addition to R&D.
Most other big techs in the city focus on R&D:
Meta's Oculus/VR teams
Microsoft's computer vision groups
Apple's special projects
Nvidia's deep tech initiatives
Oracle Labs
AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic and Deepmind
And more!
This specialization means:
Landing interviews might require research expertise in the right fields
Your interviews will include domain-specific questions in addition to DSA and sys design
The work will be more about advancing technology than shipping consumer-facing features
This makes Zurich ideal if want to work in "deep tech", but potentially challenging if you're seeking standard product engineering roles.
Did you know? Do you have additional insights on this topic?
Zurich's startups (usually ETH spin-offs) offer an alternative to big tech, but with some compromises:
1. Money
At ETH startups, you'll likely work on cutting-edge tech in fields like computer vision, robotics, or AI, but expect:
~100K CHF as a junior engineer
~150K CHF as a senior
Meanwhile, big tech R&D roles might start at 200-250K after a PhD and can reach 500K+ with experience. The equity packages at Zurich startups rarely compensate for this gap: they typically offer minimal shares that remain "paper money" for years.
2. WLB
You'll often work just as intensely (sometimes more) than at big tech, but without the proportional rewards.
Conclusion:
👉 big tech R&D in Zurich provides comparable intellectual challenge with substantially better compensation and resources.
The caveat is that ETH startups are much less competitive to enter 😄
They could be a good stepping stone! And maybe even be good for the long-term, if you find the right fit for you 🙂
Final Thoughts on Zurich’s Big Tech scene
Zurich's salaries and R&D opportunities remain among Europe's best. But:
Competition for big tech roles is very tough
Cost of living is highest in the world
If you don't have a specialized background in AI, computer vision, or other deep-tech fields, you'll find landing a Big Tech role in Zurich harder than elsewhere in Europe.
So, in conclusion, who's Zurich right for?
1️⃣ Early-career devs wanting to grow their savings quickly (possible also outside of big tech if one is frugal)
2️⃣ Researchers or PhD graduates aiming for AI/ML/VR and deep tech roles in general
3️⃣ Those who value stability, world-class infrastructure, central location, and the chance to earn US-level salaries in Europe
Who might find it less appealing?
Engineers wanting to enter big tech in non-R&D roles
Anyone hoping to maximize purchasing power: in this case, geo-arbitraging a high-salary in a low-cost country will probably win
If you want to learn more about Switzerland, check out these free resources:
YouTube video guide on big tech Switzerland (similar to this article)
Euro Tech Money: check salaries and personal finance data for devs in Europe
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