Agreed that options can be a bit of a tax chore. Since you're on board before the incorporation, ideally you can just have your shares allocated in the same way

Agreed that options can be a bit of a tax chore. Since you're on board before the incorporation, ideally you can just have your shares allocated in the same way as the founders do, for a value of a ten-thousandth of a cent (or whatever) per share. Exit triggers don't apply to core engineers. They exist for roles which help you get to an exit situation but don't have a role to play within the future owner. Relocation as a trigger might be worth considering though. And no, don't negotiate for as much as you can get =/.