QUESTION OF THE WEEK
“
What objectives might a Principal Engineer's role be asked to endorse?
— Robin
Before I went indie in March this year, I had been a Staff iOS Engineer for 7+ years at WeTransfer. While the Principal level follows after, there's one thing both levels had in common: confusion about responsibilities.
I've seen senior developers struggling to be promoted to Staff, switching jobs, and getting hired as Principal Engineer. One company might qualify you as a Principal, while others feel like you're just starting.
I'd love to reference staffeng.com in this answer as it helped me to qualify the different Staff engineers we've had at WeTransfer. While it does not answer the question, it does inform you of the various types of Staff Engineers that exist at these levels.
A principal engineer typically operates at a strategic level, influencing technical direction, mentoring teams, and ensuring alignment between business goals and engineering solutions. This is a continuation of a Staff Engineer's responsibilities, and there are often just a few Principal Engineers who are divided by discipline and aim to work together.
If you’re aiming for a Principal Engineer position, start by familiarizing yourself with the role. Review job postings from various companies to understand what they value and expect from candidates in this position.
Want to have your question answered next week? Ask your question via this form (anonymously) or reply to this email with your question.
