Software Engineering Career Track Template

This software engineering career track provides a structured progression path for engineers across both the individual contributor (IC) and people manager tracks. It outlines clear role expectations, levels, and example competencies to support growth, transparency, and alignment with business needs.

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Career Levels Overview

Individual Contributor (IC) Track

Engineers on the IC track deepen their impact by building expertise, owning technical delivery, and shaping systems at scale—without formally managing people. Progression reflects scope, autonomy, and influence.

Level 1: Junior Software Engineer

Entry-level engineers with foundational programming knowledge. They focus on delivering well-scoped tasks and learning the tools and systems around them.

• Completes defined tasks and seeks guidance when needed
• Asks for help and proactively shares progress and blockers
• Practices version control, testing, and documentation basics
• Begins exploring unfamiliar tools or systems

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Reliability, Communication, Tools, Product Knowledge

Level 2: Software Engineer

Operates more autonomously on well-scoped projects and contributes consistently. Begins mentoring interns or new hires.

• Plans and delivers self-contained units of work with minimal supervision
• Estimates timelines and flags risks
• Mentors junior teammates on basic tools and workflows
• Proactively identifies small improvements

Key Competencies:
Autonomy & Prioritization, Communication, Reliability, Collaboration & Feedback, Tools, Problem Solving

Level 3: Senior Software Engineer

Leads the delivery of moderately complex projects and contributes to engineering-wide improvements.

• Drives execution of non-trivial features or systems
• Improves team practices through tooling or process enhancements
• Leads technical scoping and solution design
• Mentors peers and contributes to org-wide initiatives (e.g., onboarding, guilds)

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Problem Solving, Communication, Expertise, Collaboration & Feedback, Product Knowledge

Level 4: Staff Software Engineer

Owns delivery of complex systems. Influences architecture, drives technical decisions, and mentors across teams.

• Leads high-ambiguity projects and cross-team collaboration
• Sets standards for engineering quality and documentation
• Partners with PM/design/QA to shape roadmaps
• Represents engineering in cross-functional planning

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Communication, Expertise, Collaboration & Feedback, Autonomy & Prioritization, Product Knowledge

Level 5: Senior Staff Software Engineer

Strategic technical leader operating across the organization. Drives platform direction, cross-functional alignment, and long-term system design.

• Aligns engineering across teams to broader business goals
• Leads technical direction for a department or major area
• Mentors senior engineers and influences hiring/leveling
• Owns end-to-end architecture for complex domains

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Communication, Expertise, Responsibility, Problem Solving, Product Knowledge

Level 6: Principal Software Engineer

Company-wide technical leader. Shapes platform vision, inspires engineering culture, and mentors at the org-wide level.

• Delivers long-term strategic bets for platform or product
• Coaches other Staff and Senior Staff Engineers
• Represents engineering in executive discussions
• Shapes the culture of technical excellence and innovation

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Communication, Expertise, Responsibility, Product Knowledge, Autonomy & Prioritization

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People Manager Track

Engineering leaders on this path focus on growing people, aligning teams, and driving business outcomes through strategic planning and team execution.

Level 2: Engineering Manager

First-level leader responsible for people, execution, and team health.

• Manages a team of 3–8 engineers
• Guides career growth, performance, and coaching
• Owns delivery of team projects and sprint planning
• Collaborates with PM/design leads on priorities

Key Competencies:
Supervision, Development, Communication, Responsibility, Tools, Product Knowledge

Level 3: Senior Engineering Manager

Leads multiple teams or a large team with strategic programs.

• Oversees team leads and growing org areas
• Manages performance, headcount, and hiring plans
• Drives process optimization and team efficiency
• Collaborates across departments

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Supervision, Communication, Responsibility, Development, Autonomy & Prioritization

Level 4: Director of Engineering

Responsible for the health and results of an engineering org. Aligns technical work with business goals.

• Owns roadmap and engineering delivery for a department
• Leads org structure planning, leveling, and hiring strategy
• Supports technical direction and delivery
• Partners with product and design at the strategy level

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Responsibility, Communication, Development, Expertise, Problem Solving

Level 5: VP of Engineering

Executive responsible for the People, Process, and Platform of the engineering org.

• Owns engineering culture, systems, and organizational health
• Sets vision and goals across the entire engineering org
• Collaborates with execs on business priorities
• Drives innovation, efficiency, and scalability

Key Competencies:
Responsibility, Scope & Complexity, Communication, Expertise, Development, Product Knowledge

Level 6: CTO / Head of Engineering

Top technical executive. Owns the engineering vision, innovation roadmap, and long-term organizational structure.

• Defines company-wide technical strategy
• Partners with CEO, Board, and execs on technology direction
• Shapes product architecture, org design, and leadership culture
• Represents engineering to external stakeholders

Key Competencies:
Scope & Complexity, Communication, Responsibility, Expertise, Product Knowledge

Final Notes

This framework is a flexible guide to help define expectations and support growth. Modify it to reflect your tech stack, values, and leadership philosophy.

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