- SDE 1 (Junior): Focus on task execution within a single component with guidance from senior engineers. - SDE 2 (Mid-Level): Autonomous feature delivery, owning services end-to-end and mentoring interns. - Senior SDE: System architecture ownership, cross-team coordination, and setting engineering standards. - Staff / Principal: Organizational technical strategy, multi-quarter architectural visions, and high-leverage business impact.
Identify your exact skill gaps and follow a milestone-by-milestone curriculum tailored to your target engineering track.
Typically 1.5 to 3 years of demonstrated autonomous ownership and consistent high-quality code delivery.
Continue leveling up your technical and job search skills.
Navigate salary transparency tools (Levels.fyi, AmbitionBox, Glassdoor) to evaluate base pay, stock vesting schedules, and realistic compensation bands.
The first 90 days of an engineering internship: shipping PRs early, asking high-efficiency questions, and securing a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO).
A decision framework comparing day-to-day work, mathematical requirements, hiring market competition, and long-term career ceilings.