Nowadays in the tech industry we have a lot of roles and responsibilities but still one of the most important are, in fact, software engineering. The journey from a new software engineer to a distinguished software engineer is a path full of challenges, growth, and continuous learning. Understanding the various levels and the skills required at each stage can provide clarity and direction for aspiring software engineers. After 15 years working in the industry I decided to create this guide where we'll explore the different levels of software engineering roles, from Associate Software Engineer to Distinguished Software Engineer, along with their scopes, technical skill requirements, soft skills, and some key takeaways that define their levels, always considering that measure humans roles is ok while measuring humans by itself is impossible and not a science but, a guess.
Be aware that the names sometimes are not that perfect/equal in the industry, but for each level I'll give you some "level synonyms" that might help you to get the most usage variations in the industry. I also did some research around the big techs to see how they are doing nowadays. I will also focus only on individual contributors, meaning that in this article I will not cover the manager role.
1. Associate Software Engineer
The Associate Software Engineer is the beginning of a software engineer's journey. At this level, individuals typically have a foundational understanding of programming languages and basic software development concepts. Responsibilities may include writing code, debugging, and assisting more experienced team members. They usually need a defined task/feature/card to work on meaning that they can participate in planning but are not expected to make a deep contribution during this phase of the projects.
Scope: Associates often work on smaller components of projects under the guidance of senior engineers. They contribute to the overall development process but may not yet have ownership of entire features or projects.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Go, Kotlin, etc., is essential. Familiarity with version control systems like Git and a basic understanding of software development methodologies are also necessary. Additionally, understanding the distinctions between frontend and backend development, as well as knowledge of databases and their integration in real-world applications, is crucial. Basic proficiency in Bash scripting and familiarity with terminal usage are often required. Furthermore, having an overall understanding of at least one cloud provider such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud is typically expected.
Soft Skills: Communication skills but on the asking questions usage, ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, eagerness to learn and adapt to new technologies.
Synonyms: Junior Software Engineer, E3, Software Engineer I, Engineer I, Junior Engineer
2. Software Engineer
As Software Engineers gain experience and expertise, they take on more significant responsibilities in the software development lifecycle. They contribute to designing, implementing, and testing complex software systems, often collaborating closely with cross-functional teams but no leadership skills are expected here.
Scope: Software Engineers participate in architectural discussions, contribute to project planning, and may take full initiatives within their project. They have a enough understanding of the systems they work on and contribute to higher-level decision-making.
Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in programming languages and frameworks relevant to their domain. Knowledge of software design patterns, database systems, and proficiency in writing efficient, maintainable code.
Soft Skills: Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, time management skills and ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Synonyms: Software Engineer II, E4, Engineer II, Mid-Level Engineer
3. Senior Software Engineer
Senior Software Engineers are seasoned professionals who play a crucial role in driving technical excellence within their organizations. They possess deep domain knowledge and are instrumental in architecting scalable, robust software solutions. Leading projects is something already required here.
Scope: Senior Engineers often lead the design and implementation of major system components. They collaborate with stakeholders to define technical requirements, provide mentorship to junior engineers, and contribute to the overall technical strategy of the organization.
Technical Skills: Expertise in designing and implementing complex software architectures. Proficiency in performance optimization, scalability, and security best practices. Familiarity with cloud platforms and distributed systems.
Soft Skills: Leadership abilities, including the capacity to inspire and motivate team members. Strong decision-making skills, ability to resolve conflicts, and advocate for technical excellence within the organization.
Synonyms: Senior Engineer I, Software Engineer III, E5
4. Lead Software Engineer
Lead Software Engineers are responsible for guiding their teams toward successful project delivery while maintaining a high standard of technical excellence. They are adept at both coding and managing projects, often bridging the gap between engineering and project management.
Scope: Lead Software Engineers oversee the entire development process, from initial planning to deployment. They manage project timelines, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and ensure that the team adheres to best practices. They take ownership of significant features or entire projects and are accountable for their project output.
Technical Skills: In-depth knowledge of multiple programming languages and frameworks. Strong experience with software architecture and system design. Proficiency in leading code reviews and implementing best practices for code quality, testing, and deployment. Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools, including continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD).
Soft Skills: Strong leadership and project management skills. Excellent communication abilities to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences. Conflict resolution, the ability to mentor and develop team members. Strategic thinking and the capacity to align technical efforts with business goals.
Synonyms: Senior Software Engineer II, Engineering Team Lead, Tech Lead, E6
5. Staff Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineers are highly experienced professionals who contribute significantly to the technical direction and strategic decisions of the organization. They have a broad impact across multiple teams and projects, often working on complex, high-stakes initiatives.
Scope: Staff Software Engineers work on critical projects that require extensive experience and technical expertise. They provide architectural guidance, contribute to long-term technology strategies, and ensure that engineering practices scale effectively. They also play a key role in identifying and mitigating technical risks, at this level it is expected that the engineer analyzes the thread offs between huge architectural decisions that might impact the company for the next few years.
Technical Skills: Mastery of software engineering principles and extensive experience with large-scale system design. Advanced proficiency in multiple programming languages and deep understanding of performance optimization, security, and scalability. Experience with cloud computing, microservices architecture, and distributed systems.
Soft Skills: Exceptional problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Strong influence and negotiation skills to drive technical initiatives across teams. Ability to mentor senior engineers and contribute to their professional growth. Clear and persuasive communication skills to interact with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Some companies might have also a upper level of Senior Staff Engineer, that's why I’m adding on synonym
Synonyms: Senior Staff Engineer, Technical Lead, E7
6. Principal Software Engineer
Principal Software Engineers are recognized as technical leaders within their organizations. They drive innovation, set technical standards, and provide strategic direction for large-scale engineering initiatives.
Scope: Principal Engineers lead the design and implementation of critical system architectures. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to define technical roadmaps, evaluate new technologies, and ensure alignment with business objectives. They are key members during strategic thinking like company OKR definition, the guidelines for KPIs and decision making.
Technical Skills: Mastery of advanced software engineering principles, including architectural design, system performance optimization, and fault tolerance. Deep expertise in one or more specialized areas such as machine learning, distributed systems, or cybersecurity.
Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership and communication skills, ability to influence technical decisions at the highest levels of the organization. Mentorship of other engineers and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Synonyms: Distinguished Engineer, Chief Architect, E8
7. Distinguished Software Engineer
Sometimes very mixed with the Principal Software Engineer (that's why a synonym) but is possible to have a different scope between them, while a distinguished might be someone who is revered for their unparalleled technical expertise, innovative thinking, and significant contributions to the field, meaning that this level contribution is also around all the industry.
Scope: Distinguished Engineers shape the technical direction of entire organizations. They drive research initiatives, represent their organizations at industry conferences, and serve as ambassadors for technical excellence both internally and externally.
Technical Skills: Thought leadership in multiple domains, with a track record of solving complex technical challenges. A deep understanding of emerging technologies and their potential impact on the industry.
Soft Skills: Visionary leadership, ability to inspire and mentor engineers at all levels. Effective collaboration with executive leadership to align technical strategy with business objectives. Strong advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry.
Synonyms: Chief Architect, VP of Engineering, E9, sometimes might be the CTO
Conclusion
Software engineering remains a role for tech industry companies, with numerous paths and levels of responsibility. The journey from an Associate Software Engineer to a Distinguished Software Engineer is marked by continuous learning, growth, and overcoming challenges. Understanding these career levels and the associated skills can provide valuable guidance for both aspiring software engineers and tech recruiters.
However, it's crucial to recognize that there is no widely perfect leveling system in the industry. Job titles and responsibilities can vary significantly between organizations. This guide aims to provide a framework to help understand the typical progression and value of each level in a software engineering career, offering insights into the technical and soft skills required at each stage.
Each level, from Associate to Distinguished Software Engineer, comes with its own set of expectations, technical proficiencies, and soft skills. While names and responsibilities might differ across companies, the core competencies and roles outlined here can serve as a useful benchmark.
Always be aware of the "level synonyms" and drawing insights from industry practices, this guide seeks to help you navigate the complexities of software engineering roles. Keep in mind that measuring human roles is not an exact science but a general guide to understand the professional landscape better.
Use this playbook as a reference to chart your career path or to better assess the fit of potential candidates in your organization. While it won't capture every nuance, it offers a comprehensive starting point for understanding the diverse and dynamic world of software engineering.
References:
"Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software" by Eric Evans, "The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering" by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
"The Art of Computer Programming" by Donald E. Knuth, "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" by Harold Abelson and Gerald Jay Sussman.
"Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship" by Robert C. Martin, "Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell.
"Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software" by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides, "The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery" by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas.
"The Architecture of Open Source Applications" edited by Amy Brown and Greg Wilson, "Continuous Delivery: Reliable Software Releases through Build, Test, and Deployment Automation" by Jez Humble and David Farley.
"Managing the Unmanageable: Rules, Tools, and Insights for Managing Software People and Teams" by Mickey W. Mantle and Ron Lichty, "The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change" by Camille Fournier.
"Software Architecture in Practice" by Len Bass, Paul Clements, and Rick Kazman, "Building Evolutionary Architectures: Support Constant Change" by Neal Ford, Rebecca Parsons, and Patrick Kua.
Reference links
https://www.terminal.io/engineers/blog/defining-the-ladder-of-software-engineer-levels
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-different-levels-of-software-engineers-at-Facebook
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/engineer-level
https://dev.to/alexr/google-software-engineer-levels-roles-factors-and-pay-4pi2
https://www.tryexponent.com/blog/learn-software-engineering-levels-to-advance-your-career
https://testrigor.com/blog/engineering-levels-in-different-companies-compared/
https://fullscale.io/blog/software-engineer-titles-hierarchy/
https://www.levels.fyi/?compare=Google,Facebook,Microsoft&track=Software%20Engineer
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