[raw_anon_1111]

> Software engineering is solving problems given a set of requirements, and determining the value, need and natural constraints of those requirements in a given system

That’s the description of a mid level code monkey according to every tech company with leveling guidelines and easily outsourced and commoditized before the age of AI.

[atleastoptimal]

If it was easily outsourced and commoditized before AI how come mid level code monkeys were making 200k+ at FAANG

[raw_anon_1111]

And most of the 3 million developers working in the US aren’t working for a FAANG and will never make over $200K inflation adjusted. If you look at the comp of most “senior developers” outside of FAANG and equivalent, you’ll see that the comp has verb stagnant and hasn’t kept up with inflation for a decade.

I have personally given the thumbs down to two developers who came from a FAANG when it was clear that they were just code monkeys who had to have everything handed to them.

Have you looked at how hard it is for mid level code monkeys even from a FAANG to get a job these days? Just being able to reverse a b tree isn’t enough anymore.

FWIW, I did a 3.5 year stint at AWS until late 2023 Professional Services (full time with the same 4 year comp structure as software devs get). But made about 20% less and it was remote the full time I was there. and I’m very well aware of what software developers make.

I still work full time at a consulting company (cloud + app dev). And no FAANG doesn’t pay enough difference than what I make now to give up remote work in state tax free relatively low cost of living central Florida at 50 years old and grown (step)kids