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
Engineering Manager
Primary Role:
Manages engineers and delivery for one team
Reporting Relations:
Reports to Senior EM/Director
Decision Making Authority:
Team-level hiring and performance decisions
Stratigic Planning
Contributes to quarterly planning
Team Management:
Manages 5–10 engineers
Meeting Involvment:
Leadership + sprint reviews
Project Management:
Oversees team roadmap execution
Communication:
Cross-functional with Product
Professional Development:
→ Senior EM