Hi HN,Since none of my social circle is in tech - I though I'd ask HN regarding my career situation.I've two different pathway and I'm struggling to decide.0) Director position (for AI) within company, ~700 employees (current)This company is not an engineering or AI company. Tbh, I'm not simulated by the problem space my work is in. It's comfy - I like my colleague and my team. Too much bureaucracy coming from startup world. Quality of engineering is OK - I guess stack and team is a bit less mature. I also feel like I will not be technically up to date in AI world as I used to be as a lead. I feel like this would really tie me to data science specialty for later career, which I don't want to do.What would be lateral path from this position? I can think of Engineering Manager or VP/Dir of Engineering - but I would always lose out to peers due to AI heavy work history.1) Tech Lead/Sr. Software Eng within startup , This company is an engineering company, where software engineering tools are sold as SaaS. It's all new technology stack - and problem space (language analyses) are challenging and very interesting. But my title would drop a quite a bit - all my non tech friends recommended not to take this position. This position is remote - but have to be in US. I feel like this would provide me lot more optionality and new learning opportunity. I'm really excited about this (maybe this is the novelty chasing brain of mine).Both are in US - both are paying roughly the same in base, but startup significantly more in stocks. I don't have any dependents.Any practical/Machiavellian advice? Any stories of regretting going further in mgmt position or getting tied into specialty?