confused about tech lead rank
i am thinking this is the path for software engineer: junior -> mid level -> senior -> staff -> principal. where does tech lead fit into this path? is tech lead an optional path on the way to rising up to principal? i would think tech lead needs to manage people and would be less hands on? thanks.
Discussion
(6 comments)- 22 months agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
At FAANG cos, "Tech Lead" is not an official title. You could be an acting Tech Lead as an L4 (mid-level) or as an L6 (staff). You could also be a Staff Engineer and not be a Tech Lead if your impact comes from being a specialist/consultant.
Tech leads typically don't manage people, but they do have some overlap with a people manager: https://www.jointaro.com/course/how-to-be-an-effective-tech-lead/what-makes-a-good-tech-lead/
- 12 months agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
Lalit explains it very well in the intro to his course! What's The Deal With Tech Leads?
- 1
2 months agoEngineer @ RobinhoodA tech lead is just a possible career path as an engineer, but not a title in itself. A tech lead's main impact is supporting the team around them (the more senior they are the larger the team they support). Not all engineers need to grow to become a tech lead of a team as opportunities are pretty spread out across a company.
- 1
2 months agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course HeroIt's complicated as companies don't standardize leveling. At Cisco for example, tech lead is an official rank. After SW4, there is Tech 1 and Tech Lead 2, which will translate to senior and staff at top companies like FAANG.
At Big Tech, tech lead is usually not a level in and of itself but rather a role. You can be on the later end of L4 (mid-level) and be functioning as a tech lead (and referred to as one). You can be L6 (staff) and not functioning as a tech lead as you're a more individual archetype like code machine or fixer.
- 02 months agoMid-Level Software Engineer [OP]Bank of America
should i strive to be a techlead? rahul and alex , both people i admired held tech lead roles and rahul is a staff engineer which i am also striving for in the future. thanks.
- 12 months agoEngineer @ Robinhood
It's too early to say. If you do your work well over time, your path forward will become clear. Experience is what truly will give you an answer, and it must be built up over time.
