roles
Staff Software Engineer
Primary Role:
High-leverage IC solving cross-team technical problems
Reporting Relations:
Reports to EM/Director
Decision Making Authority:
Architecture decisions across teams
Stratigic Planning
Influences technical roadmap
Team Management:
None; mentors engineers
Meeting Involvment:
Design authority in technical reviews
Project Management:
Leads cross-team initiatives
Communication:
Communicates with senior engineering leadership
Professional Development:
→ Principal Engineer / Architect
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
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Primary Role:
Executive accountable for company-wide technology vision
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO; board-facing
Decision Making Authority:
Enterprise technology authority
Stratigic Planning
Defines long-term tech vision + innovation
Team Management:
Leads VP/Head of Eng
Meeting Involvment:
Executive + board leadership
Project Management:
Oversees major technical bets, M&A diligence
Communication:
External representation + investor narrative
Professional Development:
→ CEO