Looking for some advice w/ negotiation in my situation. Currently $92K base in VHCOL (remote). Offer in hand from a late-stage AI startup for a PM-adjacent role. Top choice, no competing offers, and I've been transparent with the recruiter about that — I'm a shitty liar. Offer expires in a week. Down-leveled below where I think I should be, but I've mostly accepted that's not moving in this window — focused on maximizing within the level. Open to reconsidering this assumption. The offer: Base: $150K Equity annualizing to ~$45K/yr TC ~$195K Note: Standard benefits, but they don't do bonuses The bands (recruiter told me directly): Base tops out at $160K, I'm $10K from ceiling Equity band $45K-$65K, I'm at the floor My leverage: Equity vest at current employer I'd be walking away from by starting on their requested date, but the vest is just weeks after. Don't actually care about it -- I actually really want to start early. Wondering if I can trade it for higher equity here.…