[deepsummer]

I want to, at least if I get the same kind of severance package that people got in the last round of layoffs.

Stuck in this job at a senior level with >25 years of experience, in part because there is no plan/budget for promotions to principal engineer and in part because only few engineers are left in this country. Working from Europe in a global remote team of a well-known US company in rapid decline. Still profitable though. When interested in an open management position, I have been told that I am too technical for the role - which is kind of right, but I have worked as a tech lead and other people told me to that it would be a good fit for me. I'd just quit, but 100% remote is important because of my current family situation; the work itself is fine; I have a good reputation and am always put into the most interesting projects; it's quite relaxed (no overtime, no on-call) and the salary is ok'ish. The looming severance package in the next round of layoffs, which seems inevitable, would also offer financial security to start a new career, like freelancing. Unfortunately I seem to be too valuable to fire so far, but maybe they just end software development at this location.