u/WranglerNatural7114

Not talking about Switzerland and Luxembourg, it’s getting harder and harder to land a +100k€ job in Europe, and the job market is dying

The benefits are non-existant, Europe does not have a strong RSU or rent coverage culture

Lead engineer here, 7 years experience, working on embedded software. Living in Western Europe (no Swiss, no Lux), the best offer I got was 90k€ TC. Not even one reached 100k; out of 8 offers.
3/4 years ago, while only junior/middle, I got offers at 80/85 already. It seems nothing has changed since

1. does everyone here share the same opinion ?
2. if anyone has recently got +100k€: where, when and with whom ? Yes, I know tech can pay a little more, but it does not seem that 6 figures are the general rule

My field is embedded software and controls: C/C++/simulink code design, controls architecture, algorithms dev, sensor/actuators system design, mechatronics, HIL/SIL, etc
I have a master in System Modeling and Controls and close to 10 years in automotive, in several huge top-tier companies and positions, all related to major safety and core vehicle embedded software (not ADAS, more like breaking, power demands, dysfunctional handlings, etc)

I’m 60% remote now, the company already refused my request to be 80% remote and they will not go any higher.

I’m European and im struggling like hell to find a remote J2/J3. All remote jobs in US required US visa or GC, all European remotes turned out to be hybrid.
Only thing I’m currently doing is a side gig for a VC studio, but that’s partial time.
I tried planes, drones, trains and boats. Got offers, but all hybrid at most. NOTHING remote

I see all those OE remote tech workers like frontend, we dev, cyber, data, DevOps, etc (even for them is hard for 100% remote now) but I’m getting the impression any remote systems engineer or embedded is literally an unicorn.
Which I don’t understand why, because all I do is purely software and behind a laptop; all physical testing jobs being other teams.

Anyone here in a similar position ? How did you find any non-tech engineering remote job ? What kind ?

I’m M29 and making about 70-75k€, wife makes around 45k€, living in a medium COL area (around Paris).
Appartement is already fully paid (250k€), we have around 100k€ in savings. No debt, no car lease. We own everything fully. No kids and no plan to have; simply cannot afford.
We can save around 40k€/year.
We want to pull the trigger in 10/15 years, when I’m reaching 40/45 and she’s 38/43.

The numbers just don’t add up, and people around already told me we are saving at an insane rate, at least for the average European.

I’m trying to have a 2nd job to increase income and my wife is looking for better paying jobs. StilL I don’t think we can even be close to 1M€ in 10 years time.

Who does it work to be FIRE in Europe ? How much you guys actually save ? Am I missing something ?