VP of Engineering+28% typical comp change · ~4.3y typical
59% of observed moves out of Director of Engineering go here (410 careers)
executive stepconfidence moderate410 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · leadership
Where does a Director of Engineering go next?
5 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.
Management path
CTO+30% typical comp change · ~5.0y typical
23% of observed moves out of Director of Engineering go here (160 careers)
executive stepconfidence moderate160 careersno observed onward moves above the evidence floor
Specialist path
VP Operations+18% typical comp change · ~8.7y typical
reachable via Founder. 4% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence moderate120 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
VP of Product+31% typical comp change · ~9.0y typical
reachable via VP of Engineering. 10% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence low45 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Entrepreneurial possibility
Founder-30% typical comp change · ~4.7y typical
17% of observed moves out of Director of Engineering go here (120 careers)
foundingconfidence moderate120 careers30% of observed exits move upward from there