[URSpider94]

This is spot-on from my perspective. The comment I’ll add is that a true Principal is different in kind, not just in experience or knowledge, from a very senior developer. A Principal embraces the interdisciplinary nature of their role. They tackle the hardest and most awkward challenges to the business because they see them coming before you do. They naturally mentor and develop junior talent, but are self-aware enough to know that they would have less impact if they were saddled with managing a team. Not every senior engineer has what it takes to become a Principal.