This can easily backfire too. E.g. Staff+ promotions at Apple require delivering impact beyond one's Org. If all the people who benefited from one's work are in the same Org, even getting an above expectations rating would be a challenge.

Being in Infra solves this as most of the time the users sit in other, usually product, teams.

Senior Software Engineer [ICT4] at Apple

Arsalan Jumani

How has your work-life balance been under each of these roles, and what would you've done differently in hindsight (if at all)?

As a software engineer, you need to get a lot done with a relatively small amount of time, especially if you work at a high-performing tech company like FAANG. This course covers tactics you can use to move faster and prevent yourself from wasting time.

[Course] Maximize Your Productivity As A Software Engineer

Senior to staff (L5 -> L6 by FAANG leveling) is where 95%+ of engineers hit a growth wall. While junior to senior is fairly foundational, this all changes at staff where you need make big mindset changes to maximize impact.

[Taro Top 10] Senior Engineer To Staff Engineer (L5 To L6)

It doesn't matter how talented you are as a software engineer: If you don't have a good engineering manager supporting you, your career growth is dead in the water.

[Highlights] What Software Engineers Should Look For In Their Engineering Manager

Resources on how to become or be a Staff Engineer