[ahupp]

I'm not familiar with Amazon, but the equivalent level at FB (according to levels.fyi) represents just 1% of engineering. So this isn't only "experience, seniority and progression", it represents something really unique.

It's hard to look at a list like this and say "oh I know what to do now", but it is useful as a rubric; is this person meeting most of the criteria? Just a few?

[username90]

Principal at Amazon is the first level above senior software engineer, so closer to staff than principal at Google/Facebook. It isn't a particularly uncommon level to reach at Facebook or Google.

[amzn-throw]

Principals at Amazon are 1.8% of the SDE population, so no, the comparison to "Staff" engineer is unfounded.

[username90]

Amazon is just more stingy with promotions.

[amzn-throw]

Yes, and so their "staff" engineers stay Sr. Engineers. Isn't that the same point I made?