roles
Senior Software Engineer
Primary Role:
Owns complex features and delivers high-quality production code
Reporting Relations:
Reports to EM/TLM
Decision Making Authority:
Technical decisions within feature area
Stratigic Planning
Contributes to roadmap feasibility
Team Management:
None
Meeting Involvment:
Participates in sprint + design reviews
Project Management:
Owns execution of major features
Communication:
Cross-functional within team
Professional Development:
→ Staff Engineer / EM
Distinguished Engineer
Primary Role:
Highest IC level; sets enterprise technical direction
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CTO/VP
Decision Making Authority:
Defines technical principles and standards
Stratigic Planning
Defines multi-year technical vision
Team Management:
No direct reports
Meeting Involvment:
Executive + board technical advisor
Project Management:
Oversees transformational initiatives
Communication:
External thought leadership + board-level clarity
Professional Development:
→ Fellow / CTO track
Head of Engineering
Primary Role:
Top engineering leader (often in startup)
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO
Decision Making Authority:
Final say on technical direction
Stratigic Planning
Owns engineering strategy
Team Management:
Manages EMs/Directors
Meeting Involvment:
Executive team member
Project Management:
Oversees full engineering roadmap
Communication:
Board/investor communication
Professional Development:
→ VP / CTO