Is there a roadmap to become a principal engineer or only a select few who had the opportunity to work in R&D, or do a PhD, or go to Ivg league can only become principal engineers? What it takes to become a principal engineer? Any specific technical skills, extremely good at coding, or team leading, etc.? #amazon #microsoft #engineer
It's easier now at Amazon since getting rid of the principal panels. However, you need to demonstrate consistent influence across many teams and/org. Be a force multiplier. This needs to be demonstrated to your peers (senior engineers) as well as other principals and your VP.
I know of at least two (good) principals who don't have a degree at all, so a phd is definitely not required. While technicals are important, I'd say that the biggest thing that's important in a principal is communication. You need to be able to communicate and lead the engineers in your org just as well as you need to be able to communicate and lead jassy/wilke.
Does principal inevitably mean a management position? Or, how many principals end up continuing to contribute code rather than manage?
Managing upwards and brown nosing
Or be female
Pe is most coveted role in engineering at Amazon. Have seen l7 managers running behind them to make decision for them. Something special at amazon where pe are treated like gods and are much powerful than equivalent sdm's
Git gud
there is some cheesy animated video on knet that explains the difference in the levels for sdes up to principal. try watching that. I don't think it matters if you have a PhD or whatever just if you're effective at what you do and are operating at the right level.