Looking for advice on a career decision (ML / GenAI)

About me: Senior ML / GenAI-focused IC Strong preference for hands-on technical work over coordination-heavy roles I care more about long-term signal and optionality than short-term comfort Flexibility matters, especially given how unpredictable the market is right now I’m deciding between three offers in a similar comp range, but the trade-offs are very different.

Option A – Large IT services firm (25k+ employees) CTC: ~46 LPA Work mode: Hybrid, mostly 2–3 days WFO Current project: Internal tool / internal platform Future scope: Company claims there are multiple other projects and external clients internally, with potential movement later Leaves: 24 total leaves, no CL/EL split, encashment available Pay structure: Includes variable pay based on ratings Notice period: 90 days Vibe: Stable, process-heavy, slower pace, feels safe but not very sharp

Option B – Large IT services firm (30k+ employees) CTC: ~46 LPA (includes ~2.37 LPA variable) Joining bonus: 1.5 LPA one-time (with lock-in) Work mode: Hybrid / WFO leaning, usually 2–3 days onsite Project: Document processing / OCR-type work Org structure: No strong standalone data science or ML vertical Leaves: 12 CL + 12 EL + 2 optional holidays Notice period: 90 days Vibe: Structured and predictable, Looks stable on paper

Option C – Mid-sized services firm (1–2k employees) CTC: ~48 LPA, all fixed (no variable component) Work mode: Fully remote Client: NVIDIA Working hours: 2 PM – 11 PM (flexible within that window) Notice period: 1 month Leaves: ~20 leaves, limited carry-forward, no encashment Bench policy: Exists and is more aggressive than large firms Vibe: Less cushioning, sharper edges, higher upside, higher risk

What I’m trying to reason through I’m stuck between: Brand and long-term signal vs organizational safety Internal platform work vs deep client-driven exposure Fixed cash and flexibility vs stability and slower exits I’d really value input from people who: Have worked on NVIDIA client projects through service firms Have moved from large IT services to smaller firms (or the other way around) Have optimized for optionality instead of just stability Not looking for validation, just trying to pressure-test my thinking before committing.