Engineering Career Path

From Grad to Principal

Master every stage of your software engineering career with our battle-tested roadmap covering 0-20 years of experience

6
Career Stages
20+
Years Covered
30+
Interview Rounds
$1M+ / ₹2Cr+
Peak Salary
Career Progression

Your Engineering Evolution

Each stage represents a significant milestone in your career journey

🎓
0-2 years
01

New Graduate / Entry Level

Fresh out of college or bootcamp. Focus on fundamentals and getting that first job in tech.

First 2 years
Duration
$80k - $140k | ₹8L - ₹25L
Salary
Key Skills
Data Structures & Algorithms
Object-Oriented Programming
Basic System Design
Version Control (Git)
One programming language proficiency
Interview Process
Application Screening(1-2 days)

Resume review and basic qualification check

Highlight relevant projects and internshipsInclude GPA if 3.5+Show progression and learning
Online Assessment(60-90 minutes)

Coding problems, usually 1-2 LeetCode Easy/Medium

Practice timed codingTest your solutions thoroughlyRead problems carefully
Phone/Video Screen(45-60 minutes)

Live coding session with recruiter or engineer

Think out loudAsk clarifying questionsStart with brute force, then optimize
Technical Interviews(45 minutes each)

2-4 rounds of coding and system design

Focus on clean, working codeExplain your thought processBasic system design knowledge
Behavioral Interview(30-45 minutes)

Cultural fit and past experiences

Prepare STAR format storiesShow enthusiasm to learnHighlight teamwork and projects
Target Companies
GoogleMicrosoftAmazon+2
💻
2-4 years
02

Junior Software Engineer

Building real-world experience. Contributing to codebases and learning from senior engineers.

2-3 years
Duration
$120k - $180k | ₹15L - ₹45L
Salary
Key Skills
Advanced algorithms
System design basics
Database design
API development
Testing and debugging
Code review skills
Interview Process
Application Review(2-3 days)

Experience and project evaluation

Emphasize impact and growthShow technical depth in projectsInclude metrics and achievements
Technical Screen(60 minutes)

Medium difficulty coding problems

Practice with different data structuresFocus on time/space complexityBe ready for follow-up questions
System Design (Light)(45-60 minutes)

Basic system design questions

Understand common architecturesKnow about databases and cachingDiscuss trade-offs clearly
Coding Rounds(45-60 minutes each)

2-3 rounds of algorithmic problems

Mix of medium and some hard problemsOptimize solutions when askedHandle edge cases properly
Behavioral & Team Fit(45 minutes)

Experience-based questions and culture fit

Discuss challenges and learningsShow growth mindsetDemonstrate collaboration skills
Target Companies
MAANGUnicornsGrowing startups+1
🚀
4-7 years
03

Mid-Level Software Engineer

Taking ownership of features and mentoring junior developers. Deep technical expertise expected.

3-4 years
Duration
$160k - $280k | ₹25L - ₹80L
Salary
Key Skills
Advanced system design
Architecture decisions
Performance optimization
Mentoring and leadership
Cross-functional collaboration
Technical debt management
Interview Process
Portfolio Review(Initial screening)

Deep dive into past work and impact

Quantify your impact with metricsShow leadership and ownershipHighlight complex problems solved
Advanced Coding(60-75 minutes)

Hard algorithmic problems and optimization

Think in terms of optimal solutionsDiscuss multiple approachesHandle complex constraints
System Design(60-90 minutes)

Design scalable systems from scratch

Start with requirements gatheringDesign for scale and reliabilityKnow distributed systems concepts
Technical Deep Dive(60 minutes)

Domain-specific technical questions

Showcase your expertise areaDiscuss trade-offs and alternativesShare learnings from past projects
Leadership & Impact(45-60 minutes)

Behavioral questions focused on leadership

Share examples of mentoringDiscuss difficult technical decisionsShow how you drive results
Target Companies
Top tech companiesFintechHigh-growth startups
⭐
7-10 years
04

Senior Software Engineer

Technical leader driving architectural decisions and complex project delivery.

3-4 years
Duration
$220k - $400k | ₹30L - ₹90L
Salary
Key Skills
System architecture
Technical strategy
Team leadership
Stakeholder management
Risk assessment
Technology evaluation
Interview Process
Executive Screening(30-45 minutes)

Discussion with senior leadership about fit

Articulate your technical visionShow strategic thinkingDemonstrate business impact
Advanced System Design(90 minutes)

Complex distributed system design

Think at enterprise scaleConsider operational concernsDiscuss monitoring and observability
Architecture Review(60-75 minutes)

Review and critique existing system architecture

Identify potential improvementsDiscuss migration strategiesConsider technical debt
Technical Leadership(60 minutes)

Scenario-based leadership questions

Show how you influence without authorityDiscuss handling technical conflictsShare examples of driving change
Cross-functional Collaboration(45 minutes)

Working with PM, design, and other teams

Show ability to translate technical to businessDiscuss project management experienceDemonstrate stakeholder management
Target Companies
MAANG+Tier-1 techFintech giants+1
🎯
10-15 years
05

Staff Software Engineer

Technical expert driving organization-wide initiatives and setting technical direction.

4-5 years
Duration
$350k - $600k | ₹50L - ₹1.5Cr
Salary
Key Skills
Technical vision
Organizational influence
Strategic planning
Mentoring senior engineers
Technology roadmapping
Industry expertise
Interview Process
VP-level Discussion(45-60 minutes)

Strategic alignment and vision discussion

Discuss industry trendsShare your technical philosophyShow thought leadership
Technical Strategy(90 minutes)

Long-term technical planning and roadmapping

Think 3-5 years aheadConsider technology evolutionBalance innovation with stability
Architecture at Scale(90-120 minutes)

Design systems for massive scale and reliability

Consider global distributionDesign for chaos engineeringThink about operational excellence
Technical Influence(60 minutes)

How you drive technical decisions across teams

Show examples of cross-team impactDiscuss consensus buildingShare conflict resolution examples
Innovation & Research(60 minutes)

Approach to new technology evaluation and adoption

Discuss technology assessment frameworksShare examples of successful innovationsShow ability to balance risk and reward
Target Companies
Top-tier MAANGLeading tech companiesInnovative startups
👑
15-20 years
06

Principal Software Engineer

Technical authority and thought leader. Shaping the future of technology at the company.

5+ years
Duration
$500k - $1M+ | ₹80L - ₹2Cr+
Salary
Key Skills
Industry leadership
Technical evangelism
Strategic partnerships
Innovation management
Talent development
Executive communication
Interview Process
CTO/CEO Discussion(60 minutes)

Strategic vision and company direction alignment

Understand company's technical challengesShare your vision for technology leadershipDiscuss industry positioning
Innovation Leadership(90 minutes)

Driving breakthrough technical innovations

Show examples of paradigm-shifting workDiscuss approach to R&DShare vision for emerging technologies
Technical Authority(90-120 minutes)

Deep technical expertise and judgment

Demonstrate depth in multiple domainsShow ability to make complex technical decisionsDiscuss handling technical uncertainty
Industry Impact(60 minutes)

Contributions to technology community and industry

Share publications, patents, or open source workDiscuss speaking engagements and thought leadershipShow industry relationships and partnerships
Executive Presence(60 minutes)

Working with executives and representing technology

Show ability to communicate technical vision to executivesDiscuss representing company externallyShare examples of executive decision support
Target Companies
Leading tech giantsResearch-focused companiesInnovative platforms

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