Career Ladder: Difference between revisions

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What is the difference between a Junior Developer and a Principal Engineer?

'''What is the difference between a Junior Developer and a Principal Engineer?'''

''(the following analogy was copied from [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexander-chiou_techcareergrowth-softwareengineering-promotion-activity-7111741071654621185-br_X a post on LinkedIn by Alexander Chiou])''

A lot of folks don't understand the differences in engineering levels (hint: it's not about working harder), so here's an analogy I like to use.

A lot of folks don't understand the differences in engineering levels (hint: it's not about working harder), so here's an analogy I like to use. Imagine that we have this simple project: Drive a car from point A to point B.

~~Imagine that~~ we ~~have~~ this ~~simple~~ project~~: Drive~~ a car ~~from~~ point A to point B.

* The '''junior''' engineer gets a map and the entire route plotted out. They successfully drive to point B by following the directions.

* The '''mid-level''' engineer gets the map but only 50% of the route. With some clever planning, they fill in the blanks and successfully drive to point B.

* The '''senior''' engineer doesn't get a map, because the company dog ate it. After doing a lot of research and talking to several locals, they are able to map out the route from scratch and get to point B.

* The '''staff''' engineer is confused as to why we're going to point B at all. After discussing this with project stakeholders, they realize that point C has more of the benefits of B but is also 25% closer. They convince the team to go to point C instead and get there well before project deadline.

* The '''principal''' engineer is horrified that we're using a car to get to point B. It gets stuck in traffic and isn't scalable to doing many trips. They build an elaborate train system that reaches point B and many other destinations of interest. Everyone is able to travel more efficiently in the future.

* The '''distinguished''' engineer balks at the idea of slogging yourself across space and time at all. They invent teleportation.

~~The junior engineer gets~~ a ~~map~~ and ~~the entire route plotted out. They successfully drive to point B by following the directions~~.

As you can see, there is a huge mindset shift across levels. Raw execution becomes less important while innovation and leadership become crucial.

~~The mid-~~level ~~engineer gets the map but only 50% of the route. With some clever planning~~, ~~they fill in the blanks and successfully drive to point B.~~

If you're having trouble getting the level you want, focus on behavior change instead of just trying to deliver more of what you're currently doing.

~~The senior engineer doesn't get a map, because the company dog ate it. After doing a lot~~ of ~~research and talking to several locals, they are able to map out the route from scratch and get to point B.~~

~~The staff engineer is confused as to why we're going~~ to ~~point B at all. After discussing this with project stakeholders, they realize that point C has~~ more of ~~the benefits of B but is also 25% closer. They convince the team to go to point C instead and get there well before project deadline.~~

~~The principal engineer is horrified that we~~'re ~~using a car to get to point B. It gets stuck in traffic and isn't scalable to~~ doing ~~many trips. They build an elaborate train system that reaches point B and many other destinations of interest. Everyone is able to travel more efficiently in the future.~~

~~The distinguished engineer balks at the idea of slogging yourself across space and time at all. They invent teleportation~~.

~~As you can see, there is a huge mindset shift across levels. Raw execution becomes less important while innovation and leadership become crucial.~~

<br />

~~If you're having trouble getting the level you want, focus on behavior change instead of just trying to deliver more of what you're currently doing.~~

== Additional information ==

* [https://www.swyx.io/career-ladders Every Public Engineering Career Ladder] Shawn Wang

*[https://www.swyx.io/career-ladders Every Public Engineering Career Ladder] Shawn Wang

* [https://www.jointaro.com/question/qV5oikdcgs4GWmGeousX/what-do-career-levels-structure-in-big-tech-company-look-like-what-are-the-responsibilities-for-each-level/ What are the definitions of career levels in big tech companies?] Alex Chiou

*[https://www.jointaro.com/question/qV5oikdcgs4GWmGeousX/what-do-career-levels-structure-in-big-tech-company-look-like-what-are-the-responsibilities-for-each-level/ What are the definitions of career levels in big (FAANG) tech companies?] Alex Chiou

[[Category:Company]]

[[Category:Career]]

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-What is the difference between a Junior Developer and a Principal Engineer?
+'''What is the difference between a Junior Developer and a Principal Engineer?'''
 ''(the following analogy was copied from [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexander-chiou_techcareergrowth-softwareengineering-promotion-activity-7111741071654621185-br_X a post on LinkedIn by Alexander Chiou])''
-A lot of folks don't understand the differences in engineering levels (hint: it's not about working harder), so here's an analogy I like to use.
+A lot of folks don't understand the differences in engineering levels (hint: it's not about working harder), so here's an analogy I like to use. Imagine that we have this simple project: Drive a car from point A to point B.
-Imagine that we have this simple project: Drive a car from point A to point B.
+* The '''junior''' engineer gets a map and the entire route plotted out. They successfully drive to point B by following the directions.
+* The '''mid-level''' engineer gets the map but only 50% of the route. With some clever planning, they fill in the blanks and successfully drive to point B.
+* The '''senior''' engineer doesn't get a map, because the company dog ate it. After doing a lot of research and talking to several locals, they are able to map out the route from scratch and get to point B.
+* The '''staff''' engineer is confused as to why we're going to point B at all. After discussing this with project stakeholders, they realize that point C has more of the benefits of B but is also 25% closer. They convince the team to go to point C instead and get there well before project deadline.
+* The '''principal''' engineer is horrified that we're using a car to get to point B. It gets stuck in traffic and isn't scalable to doing many trips. They build an elaborate train system that reaches point B and many other destinations of interest. Everyone is able to travel more efficiently in the future.
+* The '''distinguished''' engineer balks at the idea of slogging yourself across space and time at all. They invent teleportation.
-The junior engineer gets a map and the entire route plotted out. They successfully drive to point B by following the directions.
+As you can see, there is a huge mindset shift across levels. Raw execution becomes less important while innovation and leadership become crucial.
-The mid-level engineer gets the map but only 50% of the route. With some clever planning, they fill in the blanks and successfully drive to point B.
+If you're having trouble getting the level you want, focus on behavior change instead of just trying to deliver more of what you're currently doing.
-The senior engineer doesn't get a map, because the company dog ate it. After doing a lot of research and talking to several locals, they are able to map out the route from scratch and get to point B.
-The staff engineer is confused as to why we're going to point B at all. After discussing this with project stakeholders, they realize that point C has more of the benefits of B but is also 25% closer. They convince the team to go to point C instead and get there well before project deadline.
-The principal engineer is horrified that we're using a car to get to point B. It gets stuck in traffic and isn't scalable to doing many trips. They build an elaborate train system that reaches point B and many other destinations of interest. Everyone is able to travel more efficiently in the future.
-The distinguished engineer balks at the idea of slogging yourself across space and time at all. They invent teleportation.
-As you can see, there is a huge mindset shift across levels. Raw execution becomes less important while innovation and leadership become crucial.
+<br />
-If you're having trouble getting the level you want, focus on behavior change instead of just trying to deliver more of what you're currently doing.
+== Additional information ==
-* [https://www.swyx.io/career-ladders Every Public Engineering Career Ladder] Shawn Wang
+*[https://www.swyx.io/career-ladders Every Public Engineering Career Ladder] Shawn Wang
-* [https://www.jointaro.com/question/qV5oikdcgs4GWmGeousX/what-do-career-levels-structure-in-big-tech-company-look-like-what-are-the-responsibilities-for-each-level/ What are the definitions of career levels in big tech companies?] Alex Chiou
+*[https://www.jointaro.com/question/qV5oikdcgs4GWmGeousX/what-do-career-levels-structure-in-big-tech-company-look-like-what-are-the-responsibilities-for-each-level/ What are the definitions of career levels in big (FAANG) tech companies?] Alex Chiou
 [[Category:Company]]
 [[Category:Career]]