You are senior software engineer... What's next?
Reaching the level of a senior software engineer is a significant milestone in your career. You’ve honed your technical skills, delivered complex projects, mentored junior developers, and become a key contributor to your team’s success. But what comes next? For me, this question has been a constant source of reflection. After reaching this level, I started to wonder: should I double down on my technical expertise, transition into leadership, or explore entrepreneurial opportunities? Each path offers unique challenges and rewards, and choosing the right one depends on personal aspirations, values, and long-term vision. 1. Become a Principal or Staff Engineer For those who want to stay deeply technical while increasing their impact, the path of a principal engineer or staff engineer might be the best option. These roles typically involve: Architecting large-scale systems and making high-level technical decisions. Mentoring sen...