The Software Engineering Ladder Explained

You're supposed to be already performing at the next level before you're promoted. But how do you know what that means? Today, I walk you through exactly what you're responsible for every step of the way. And it's directly connected to your impact. At the lowest levels you're impacting only specific features and projects, while as you get more senior, you start impacting the entire company and industry. Here's a closer look into the software engineering ladder.

I'm a 24 year old, recent graduate working at a high growth startup! Follow along for insights into the tech industry, all things startup, and what to expect as a recent-grad remote software engineer.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - L2: Intern
1:34 - L3: Software Engineer I
3:17 - L4: Software Engineer II
4:15 - Squarespace shoutout (ad)
5:02 - L5: Senior Software Engineer
6:30 - L6: Staff Software Engineer
7:55 - L7: Senior Staff Software Engineer
9:15 - L8+: Principal Software Engineer/Technical Fellow/etc
10:17 - Outro

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Sub count: 42,200

#Career #Programming #SoftwareEngineer #Coding #Levels

[namanhkapur]

if you got to L5 would you keep grinding or just chill?

[tbcfrankee]

Being at the top isn't as great as it sounds. When you no longer code and are dealing with top-level, high risk issues all the time, you start to recognize that you have very little control and things become more and more unpredictable, which leads to much higher stress levels. So instead of "you can do whatever you want, " actually it's "you can't do anything." The big issue here is that you no longer have access to mentors, because there's no one above you anymore. So a lot of people at the top choose to leave and go back to basics and build their own companies from scratch, so they have more control and are able to continue growing personally, or they move horizontally and start to integrate their experience into adjacent fields.

[ArvindRajan]

YOO this was so detailed - love how you broke it down so even people outside of tech can understand it!

[Anonymous-njow]

man thank you, graduating this december and feel so unprepared, but hearing more about industry is helping

[frosty_teacup]

I'm so glad this showed up in my recommended videos, it's so thorough and informative! Just what I needed. Thank you!

[alin]

Working as a software engineer in a 3rd world country, I knew from my friends that I'm working alot more with much less structure compared to them in big companies
I just didn't know my company was giving me the responsibilities of L3 to L7 with compensations of L2 😂

[itsoasi]

I just landed my first job at a tech company and the welcome letter said I was L2. I had no idea what that meant, but your video made it really clear. I've taught myself a lot about software/web development, computers and technology in general since befor high-school, but somehow I never came across anything about a software engineering ladder. Thanks for this.

[christersmith]

"Years of experience" can be more rigid or flexible depending on the company and the role you are interviewing for. Apple and Microsoft tend to be more rigid. Meta and and Google are more flexible. Amazon is kind of in the middle: they can be flexible for the right person.

I had 4 years when invited to interview for a manager of data science at the L6 level at Amazon, and just under 5 years when invited to interview for an MLE tech lead (E6) at Meta.

For me, the biggest barrier to big tech is the algorithms and data structures interview step. The onsite I've been excited to talk about my experiences, but haven't passed the algorithms interview step yet. I studied physics, economics, and statistics in school, but I've never taken a formal computer science class before. So I get a lot of anxiety and forget half of what I studied. The onsite would cover things I've actually done rather than studied, so for me that's a lot less stressful.

[darkwoodmovies]

I feel like anything past L5 has diminishing returns. At that point, you'll level up faster if you go down the management track. Most people don't get past L6, and managers get paid a lot more for a lot less work.

[MeghadityaRoyChaudhury]

Another great video. Like the correspondence between levels and the impact surfaces. Super clarifying. A very good template to look at from impact perspective instead of the compensation perspective.

[MohamedAhmed-ttnz]

Hey Namanh, I have been watching your videos since you began youtube.Love the content you are provide. much different then other engineer youtubers. Great work !!

[hjxb]

needed this like 6 years ago. great video- thanks, Namanh!

[vnpikachu]

Super helpful info, clear communication and explanation. Cheers.

[King_Imani]

This the best career path advice I have ever received 🙌🏿

[cisko]

Very detailed and informative. Companies do have these levels, specially the big ones. I think people shouldnt pay too much attention to them though. Just focus on learning new stuff all the time and job search every couple of years. Don't wait 3 years grinding for a company waiting for them to move you up a "level". Just go and apply to new places instead. Best way to get a pay increase. Level up your interview skills both whiteboard and verbal. Title don't mean much to me, tbh. I'm more about what they're paying me and the company culture. People like to play it safe but you get best rewarded for taking a risk here and there. Like they rather work at Amazon because "it looks good", instead of working the startup where you'll get to make more important decisions sooner. And some of these startups might even pay more because they have fresh investor money and in a bigger hurry to get talent. That's just what I've observed.

[jameswo]

Super informative (and also motivating!) video! Thanks for being so concise, subbed and looking forward to seeing ur channel blow up even more :)

[EricBishard]

This is a great resource, I was an L4 level at Tesla, but we didn't really use this tiered system, we were pretty much just referred to as senior. But before moving further I transitioned into a developer relations role. The one thing I have noticed is that some of my skills have atrophied but I still code, but I don't ship a lot of code. It was a logical step in my career, and I often wonder where I would be now if I would have stayed in an engineering role. But, I still make good money and work in a very technical field.

[admanek]

You did great job in very short time period. I believe your Channel is going to be the best tech yt Channel very soon! Keep on going!

[TheTjmclean]

I really needed this breakdown of the levels. We don't have a detailed layout of responsibilities at my job.

[NikkiDunlap]

Your videos are so detailed. I love how you don’t waste time & you get straight to the point lol. You just gained another subscriber! 🔥💯