[balls187]

> As an engineer, you might actually be better off ignoring engineering-value alignment because you might be better off simply executing well within a well-oiled machine.

This is generally the approach for maximizing cash compensation, in lieu of being a highly sought after programmer by Google et al. That and jumping from jobs every 2 years for 20-40% pay increase.

By Value, I think OP is talking about value in the context of an engineers role.

For an engineering, you can create linear value with your amazing code, but as you contribute more broadly (architecture design, mentoring, code-reviews, etc), you multiply the value you provide.

> If I'm the one figuring out how to create value, why the hell are the C suite, middle managers, and investors getting 99% of the profits?

That sentiment reminds me of this scene from The Wire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e10ZPVafUA (NSFW - Language)

[ap3]

How mant times can you get the 20-40% salary increases ? Very soon you will hit the band ceiling

[balls187]

> How mant times can you get the 20-40% salary increases ? Very soon you will hit the band ceiling

It would require taking on more responsibility, and moving up in roles.

Two points of clarification:

* This is in high demand markets.

* Pay = salary and bonus.

I'm not advocating job hopping, but if you purely want to maximize your income, you'll get a bigger increase taking a promotion at a new company (where you have more leverage to negotiate) then you will at your current company.

Me personally--I live by the cheat-code from WC2 -- All that glitters is not gold.