[doppel]

I read this article a few months ago about being a Principal Engineer, https://blog.dbsmasher.com/2019/01/28/on-being-a-principal-e..., and ever since it’s been my designated career path / plan. I am in the lucky position of working in a small-but-growing team of developers, so I get to choose my career advancement and have support to follow this road.

I think a principal engineer is the right mix of (still) developing, planning, mentoring and potentially leading small teams, while staying out of a full-on managerial role.

[Aeolun]

I thought this was my dream as well, until I found out it basically brings you all the responsibilities of management, without any of the rewards.

[sethammons]

Which rewards? If it is salary, at least for us (I work with the author of the referenced article), we strive to keep those levels the same on the technical and managerial track.

[wellreally]

How many engineers vs managers are there in your company at that level and at the levels above it?

It's rare to see a big tech company with as many engineers as managers at the Director compensation level, for example.

[awinder]

I hopped between lead -> manager -> lead and I agree, though it’s informative to see the problem approached from both sides if you can stomach a manager stint (I had much trouble). Lead/Manager pairs have roughly the same success metrics IMO but split responsibilities and focus areas so you’re definitely right there, in my experience manager/lead is the same level on different career paths

[wjossey]

If you ever decide to try the manager route again, look me up. My email is in my profile.

I do free one on one mentoring for managers, and my business also has a manager training program we run twice a year that really helps people perform better in the role. A lot of studies say some people aren’t “meant to be managers”, but I really believe that’s the exception not the rule.

Would be happy to help!