Principal Engineer+20% typical comp change · ~4.3y typical
51% of observed moves out of Staff Engineer go here (700 careers)
progressionconfidence high700 careers0% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · engineering
Where does a Staff Engineer go next?
6 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.
Typical advancement
Management path
Engineering Manager+5% typical comp change · ~3.2y typical
33% of observed moves out of Staff Engineer go here (450 careers)
leadership branchconfidence moderate450 careers71% of observed exits move upward from there
Director of Engineering+18% typical comp change · ~4.2y typical
15% of observed moves out of Staff Engineer go here (210 careers)
leadership branchconfidence moderate210 careers83% of observed exits move upward from there
VP of Engineering+51% typical comp change · ~8.5y typical
reachable via Director of Engineering. 9% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence moderate210 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
Entrepreneurial possibility
Founder-17% typical comp change · ~8.8y typical
reachable via Director of Engineering. 3% joint share of observed careers
foundingconfidence moderate120 careers30% of observed exits move upward from there