5 YOE Java IAM engineer — comparing 3 offers, need honest opinions
\* Used AI for writing the post \*
5 years experience, Java/Spring Boot backend, IAM engineer. Currently at ca****ini in Pune, 13 LPA. Three options in front of me, laying out each with pros/cons as I see them.
**Option 1: Insight Global (staffing) → placed at CSC, Bangalore**
- 29 LPA, fully fixed CTC
- CSC itself is a solid company, and I was interviewed twice directly by CSC's own team before this offer came through
Pros:
\- CTC is fully fixed, 29 LPA
\- CSC is a good company
Cons:
\- Relocation to Bangalore
\- It's a contract role for the 6 months. Insight Global has told me CSC is looking for a long-term hire and plans to convert me to their full-time payroll after 6 months. When I raised concerns about this on a call with Insight Global's hiring manager, he offered to set up a call with CSC's team lead and the manager who interviewed me, so I can get direct confirmation from them too — which helped a bit, but I don't have it in writing yet.
The reviews of insight global is not that good. And many people have said that if contract ends or doesn't get renewed, the firm immediately terminates the employment. But they have scheduled a call with CSC mangers to assure me that after 6 months they have the intention of converting me to full-time role at CSC.
**Option 2: CGI, Hyderabad**
\- 26 LPA + 1.8 LPA shift/ODC allowance + 2L joining bonus
Pros:
\- Direct full-time role, not a contract — more job security than the Insight Global option
Cons:
\- Relocation to Hyderabad
\- 5 days work from office, no hybrid at all
\- Strictly ODC-based, shift timing 1 PM to 10 PM (timing itself isn't too bad, but the 5-day WFO is the bigger concern for me)
**Option 3: Current company retention**
\- CTC raised from 13 to 20 LPA
\- onsite role at Australia
\- Visa process for onsite would start as soon as I withdraw my resignation, however the visa arrival and actually traveling to australia would take roughly 6 months or more.
Pros:
\- If everything goes right, the Australia move would mean saving significantly more than what I'd save in India
\- If I see no real progress toward the Australia move in 5-6 months, I can restart my job search then — but from a 20 LPA base instead of my current 13 LPA, which puts me in a stronger position for the next round of job hunt
Cons:
\- No timeline or written confirmation on the Australia move — could take 6-7 months or longer
\- The actual role/project in Australia isn't confirmed to align with my current skill set — I might need to pick up something new
\- Initial project duration is 6-7 months, and while my manager says it typically gets extended, that's not guaranteed. That said, I've seen colleagues go on similar 6-7 month assignments and end up staying in Australia for 4-5 years, so extensions do happen in practice and its very common.
Trying to make this decision on data rather than gut feel. Would appreciate any real experiences — especially around staffing-agency contract-to-hire conversions, or onsite rotation promises actually panning out (or not).