This all seems pretty straightforward to me, though I don't pull the "I'm leaving" tactic, I just leave. Overall I agree, engineers are too timid about this and

This all seems pretty straightforward to me, though I don't pull the "I'm leaving" tactic, I just leave. Overall I agree, engineers are too timid about this and you have to grow some balls. It would be worth expounding a bit on the manager who was a skilled negotiator. What did that person do, how did you end up being glad with just an offer? I've read a lot about this subject but maybe others have not. Is this in the Bay Area? (Edit: guessing Boston or that region based on the New England college)