I’ll bite. I’ve spent my whole career in non-tech non-hub jobs. Places like GE in LCOL locations - no cities. I know I’m underpaid, but I’ve also been a bit of a generalist. I spent about 6 years doing SWE work (little of everything - C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, etc). The last 5 years I’ve been in DevOps and leading a team. My focus the last few years has been leadership and collaboration, and I’m rusty as fuck in Programming. That said, I’m generally regarded as an exceptional leader. I was a really good SWE once upon a time, too. In the meantime, most of my experience is in legacy systems. Monolithic. Older tech, etc. I’m not well versed in a lot of current frameworks or methodologies. I’m a Staff engineer at GE and generally overdue for a promo by GE standards. It’s time for a change. I’d like to get into more high tech as a change and do something different. I’m open to relocation. I’ve started doing CTCI - I’m solving all the problems but it definitely requires more thought than I’d like. I don’t have a very theoretical background - my degree is Software Engineering versus CS. I did just get an offer for a small LCOL company for 160k TC, but it’s still on DevOps and I’m not feeling the growth. I’d like to move back into SWE or engineering management. Any advice? What title do I fit in this world, and what’s my best bet to prepare to go elsewhere? Really get on track? I’m feeling like leetcoding and systems design prep isn’t enough since I have had little practical experience lately, and yet I’m hoping I can make use of my leadership skills. TC: ~130k LCOL YOE: ~11
Go all in on system design prep and shoot for EM positions across the spectrum of companies. Something will work out and it’ll definitely be more than your current TC.
That sounds really good, but I thought common wisdom was that companies don’t hire external candidates without EM experience with direct reports? Are there certain companies that do? I’d love to go down this road, but I also don’t want to count myself out of the fight before it starts by applying for all EM positions instead of ICs.
When you said you’ve mostly had leadership roles in recent years I assumed you were a manager. You’re right: EM will be hard to get if you have no prior management experience.
1. Join an early stage startup backed by solid VCs. If it’s successful you’ll $$$. If not, you’ll build a good network that can help you land at FAANG. 2. Join a large Tier 2+ tech company (Adobe, etc) then jump to FAANG 3. Just apply to FAANG via referral (ask on Blind). It’s pretty easy to get an interview but hard to pass. That said, if you have solid skills you’ll likely get at least one offer.
Also - don’t be intimated. The average FAANG engineer is good but not god. If you have solid skills and are willing to learn you’ll fit in just fine. In terms of level, Staff at GE is probably L4/L5 at G/FB.
Hey, really appreciate that! I know people are people. I guess mostly worried about relevant skills. I’m reasonably confident I can study up to be OK on leetcode style questions, but I’m not sure on relevant skills. I’ve never built or deployed a micro service, for instance. Lot of legacy systems work.