[ankimal]

The call out about being "Customer focused" is key! Many engineers use the Individual Contributor path as a means to just solve engineering problems and an exit route from product teams. No matter if your customers are internal (other engineers) or external (actual clients), understanding the business is equally important.

An Engineer's goal is to solve problems. Technology is their tool to do so and the more you understand the business' problems, the more effective you become at using the right tools in the right ways.

A Distinguished/Principal Engineer's role is a multiplicative technical leader whose use of these tools in an effective manner will impact solving customer problems in a more effective and streamlined manner. Thus, building customer empathy is very important.