I work for an ML startup that has a large code base from front end all the way to code running on an embedded chip. This is my first job and i have been asked to code/work on all levels like javascript, html, code related to databases, python and c code involving cross compilation and stuff. I have a masters degree in EE. I am not good witg stuff across the spectrum. is this normal ? does every software engineer work across the stack ?
Usually full stack means you work both on frontend and backend. It's pretty common especially at startups.
I do that at our employer.
Very common for startups. The bigger the more concentration on marginal work. In big companies, full stack means mostly front end and little of backend
This is true
This. At big company, full-stack is mostly FE. Even if a full stack does backend, they are not specialized in core BE concepts like distributed systems, etc. They only make APIs and use them
Full stack here and I love it. It’s good to be able to talk to frontend as well as backend engineers about stuff with ease.
What tech stack do you interface with daily?
Java, Python, TS.
It’s basically good for leadership so they can blame anyone when anything is broken.
Typically the larger the company, the more siloed the tech stack IMO
It’s common for engineers to put on many hats at startups. If you want to focus on a specific area or tech then perhaps more mature startups or larger companies are a better fit.
I have 2.5 YOE and have been all over the place. I feel like I haven’t mastered any single area.
The OP not only wants to be full stack but also deep stack(Not sure why I blurted this term, it has no meaning though) developer which involves embedded software development too. It's very rare in the software industry. And I doubt how many people can develop deep expertise in each skill. The manager who is responsible for this project is either a genius/brilliant who might have experience in all three so expecting same from others or has no clue. Take it with grain of salt.
Also OP, apart from full stack being mostly FE at most companies, full stack saturates at Senior Software Engineer. To become like Staff or PE, you need to start focusing on something specialized.
Yup. Distributed systems and ML/AI are the two that will get you senior real quick
Definitely not, that is very very few people. Depends on YOE. Can people do it? Often yes. Can people do it well enough at all levels? Very rarely.