Engineering Career at Big Tech — Path to Staff Engineer

We all want to grow as professionals, and it’s very natural for humans to go for the stars. However, when you join any big company, you become a part of a large system, which can be a soul and life-draining experience. Let’s talk about how not to be consumed and still work towards your success.

Introduction

I mentor a few colleagues at work, and their most common inquiry revolves around understanding the key differences between Level X and Level Y and strategies for advancing to higher levels. Navigating the levelling system in big tech companies is uniquely challenging; for instance, a senior engineer from a smaller company might be hired at a lower level upon joining. It often happens because big tech firms adhere to specific, strict guidelines for levelling, and it’s not uncommon for candidates to miss meeting one or two criteria during their interviews.

This article is centred on navigating your career in big tech, focusing on adapting to the system’s rules while still achieving your personal goals and enjoying your work. We’ll explore the differences between each level in Big Tech and provide advice on how to excel. Designed to apply to most Big Tech companies, this guide will help you understand each level, including the expectations, typical projects, and responsibilities you will…