Three Things Blocking Your Promotion to Staff/Principal Engineer (from an Amazon Principal Engineer)

It took me 8 years to reach the principal/staff level. Let me save you some of the hard work and spare you some bad advice by sharing what’s holding you back and how you can get where you deserve to be, on your schedule.
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The views expressed in this video are my own. I do not speak for Amazon.

[@Tempeck81]

1. **Organizational Need:** Not every organization requires an additional principal engineer, and if the role is not necessary, promotion becomes challenging; individuals should assess whether they are in the right environment for advancement. 2. **Misleading Project Promises:** Software development managers may exaggerate the level of scope and impact on a team, leading individuals to believe they are working on principal-level projects, but promotions may not materialize if the demonstrated impact is limited to a specific project or team. 3. **Managerial Support:** The role of an individual's manager is crucial, and having a manager with experience promoting to principal or staff engineer, managing multiple teams, and being fully committed to the individual's promotion is essential; if these criteria are not met, seeking better managerial support or considering a team or company change is recommended.

[@shosetsuninja3112]

This sounds right on. As a senior engineer, it actually helps confirm that principal is not really what I want. I'm hoping to break into a smaller company or freelancing to make a larger impact instead of influencing a larger number of teams within a company. Great content.

[@ethany2831]

My favourite 2:30 - "This is you life. It's important for you don't wait for others to change. Go and get it."

[@JulianSnow]

I'm an IC4 in FAANG. The content you're offering is very unique on KZbin. Keep it up! I can see this channel going far.

[@JulianSnow]

In regards to requests, I'd appreciate advice on how to develop my technical proficiency. I feel like it's easy to become complacent and not grow.

[@ALifeEngineered]

@@JulianSnow The easiest and most general way to do this is to hack yourself to be curious about how things work. It will take you far.

[@anonymousvine4105]

Cross team impact is the key bridge. It’s pretty rare to even have a principal level outside of the top 20 technology companies. In those cases, similar advice applies, but you might have to demonstrate competency beyond software architecture and people management. For example, coming up with the next product idea that only an experienced technical person would even think of as a solution to a major customer demographic’s problem.

[@melarryify]

In my experience, easiest way to get promotion is when you have a good relation with your skip level manager. At their level one can know what work to focus on to get outsized impact.

[@ALifeEngineered]

Great point. If you can get a sense of what strategic problems they are chewing on you can position the architecture to address their concerns.

[@6590651]

How would one bring this topic to their skip manager without it seeming like you’re trying to bypass your direct manager?

[@melarryify]

@@6590651 its more of trying to see through the lens of skip level manager. We always assume what they look for. Direct conversation help us to understand what they really care and what actions by us impacts the business. For eg: A deployment of a simple reporting tool might be more impactful than reengineering current system to microservices using service mesh

[@theJasonLee]

This is excellent advice! I was a senior engineer in a non-CS discipline, always on the cusp of principal, and this advice is right on. Very sensible, especially regarding assessing a managers ability and willingness to help you achieve your goals.

[@istudy9]

Damn, I am a director at B4 consulting firm and what he says are exactly what is needed. And this is not even politics, this is about you placing yourself in an ecosystem that increases likelihood for external success. Someone who advocates for you but also has the influence to the decision maker

[@cody_codes_youtube]

This is such good advice. Especially the “allotted spot” for the role. I’ve felt like many people get upset when the role isn’t bestowed upon them at a given time.

[@ThunderAppeal]

So basically Mr. Asiatic-Eyes spent the better part of 15 years building bloat ware for a monolithic organization staffed largely by hypocrites in all corners of that organization and today is seeking to capitalize on the naive and ignorant masquerading as a desperate attempt to maintain relevance by seeking still more praise from a wider audience. Only the clueless with envy this clown.

[@danrice6562]

Wow. Terrific introduction in the first couple minutes. This described my exact frustration with my previous job. You simply have no control over whether a company is going to lose employees or need to hire more (unless you run the company, in which case you don't need a promotion).

[@Dawmazing]

loving the channel, live office hours would be awesome

[@stanislausaprankou3495]

I find the content especially useful since I've recently got a job at Amazon. I really like the way you communicate - very clear and honest Would you mind making a video on what to pay attention to / what mistakes to avoid for people who've never been working in FAANG before and just got a job there.

[@RobertKraig]

Your information is gold. I feel like I'm listening to a colleague I'd admire. Please continue the good work you're putting on youtube. This material is fantastic.

[@sayilu]

As ex-Amazonian, I can confirm OP knows what he is talking about!

[@DavidDLee]

In theory, you could come up with a project or activity which has the necessary impact for promotion. But, in practice, it has to be initially in addition to your assigned work, then perhaps you could convince others that it's important to get it official. Maybe your idea is so good, other engineers would volunteer to help, in addition to what's on their plate. In any case, this is not your work speaking for itself, this is more about you selling an idea to others. If you are not great at coming up with and selling good ideas, you still need luck or a lot of help.

[@DK-ox7ze]

Your content is gold. This is just the type of thing I was looking for. Regarding your future videos, it would be great if you could prepare an interview series for senior/staff front-end engineer roles. There is so much content out there for backend systems design but hardly any for web front-end roles. Even the behavioural examples you gave here were regarding backend development! I am an experienced front-end engineer, and I have lead teams as well. I have been getting interview calls from FAANG and FAANG like companies for senior and staff roles, but I find it hard to describe my work in a compelling way that is required from a senior/staff engineer.

[@ALifeEngineered]

Take a look at my video on telling a good story. I think your goal should be to show backend folks the sort of complexity you deal with in a way even they could understand.

[@stallion12you]

I’ve not seen this content anywhere else. This kind of career advice helps a lot and is unique. Thanks !

[@dbroche]

Meta - your content is great and insightful I fully dig how clear and direct your message is and am looking forward to watching your story evolve on your KZbin journey

[@dli-mx]

To be fair to you, you should caveat this with "Amazon specific" (and makes it more impressive/difficult too) - Amazon Principal is probably more like a Senior Staff/Principal at other companies (Facebook, Google), especially since a Staff at one of those companies don't really need cross-org impact

[@ALifeEngineered]

Good point. It's really hard to describe the differences in level across companies.

[@anniephan665]

I keep coming back to this video as I'm trying to figure out how to have an outsized impact in my org. Your tips are super valuable. Thank you!

[@TheZeroviral]

Just got a Senior Software Engineer job at Apple. Just found your videos. Office hours would be dope.

[@somurzakov]

thank you Meta, absolutely killer content. Can you share your thoughts on "How to avoid getting PIPped?"

[@ALifeEngineered]

Watch my channel and do good work.

[@johnwatson8691]

I'm an Electronics engineer experienced with industrial controls engineering. I recently attained a controls Specialist engineering position at an Amazon facility managed by JLL.

[@EditioCastigata]

Thanks for sharing this! It's the same in the automobile industry that wants to reform btw., but with even less support for a proper leadership and setup like a software company.

[@user-tf4lx8tq3g]

He is like a non toxic tech genius leader. Is it possible to learn this power...?

[@MichaelRicksAherne]

Request: This exact content, but for the Engineering Manager role.

[@DebmalyaSinha]

I'm at big tech trying to get to the senior+ level. This is simply great advice. Thank you.

[@DxWangZ]

Glad to see videos of this sort are far less viewed than those “learn to code” ones.

[@yairzas2]

Interesting to read about lessons learnt about SDE2 promos to SDE3.

[@slavaboichenko1811]

well, this channel name is pretty much a jackpot

[@peideng1318]

Thank you thank you, i'm a senior engineer finding my way to staff level. This content is diamond. The definition of staff engineer could vary by companies, but what you're telling is definitely what all FAANG and unicorns are expecting from a staff level candidate.

[@El3ctr0Lun4]

Good advice. The problem with leaving to get a Principal role at a different company is that the interview process is often quite difficult as they usually expect you to have had those responsibilities before - they ask you to tell them about a time when you did influence multiple teams etc. But I guess you can get another Senior role in a company where they do have Principals, and then work your way up to the role - that can take a few more years though.

[@ThunderAppeal]

So basically Mr. Asiatic-Eyes spent the better part of 15 years building bloat ware for a monolithic organization staffed largely by hypocrites in all corners of that organization and today is seeking to capitalize on the naive and ignorant masquerading as a desperate attempt to maintain relevance by seeking still more praise from a wider audience. Only the clueless with envy this clown.

[@pawan5]

This is best advice on youtube in this category

[@haochen959]

Thanks for the tips! These are eye opening. I have been stuck at senior for several years now.

[@VeldanG]

As always, great content. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. As a newly minted SDM at Amazon, it has been helpful for me when considering how I can grow my team and ensure they're doing the rights things to achieve their personal goals. From my experience, I wouldn't say that reporting to a frontline manager hurts your chances of reaching principal engineer; the team you're on and the scope it provides matter significantly more. That being said, the vast majority of frontline managers don't run teams with these kinds of opportunities. I look forward to seeing more of your content!

[@hefeicoder]

thanks Meta. +1 to your vision on what this channel offers and your content indeed provide great values.

[@carlosg5905]

The info here is liquid gold. Thanks for upload.

[@tljstewart]

Golden, thank you. Office hours please 🙏

[@mAcChaosCh]

This is a great channel. I'm a senior engineer that's been swimming against the current trying to get promoted for a long time, and some of the things you said in this and another video resonated. I did all the right work, but I didn't think of it as a process. But one thing I can control is my own skill -- if you think you could polish your skills to get promoted, what would you do? Then again you said your strength wasn't that different...

[@Zakko42]

Thank you. I needed this. Just accepted a new role thanks directly to your clear advice.

[@RainerArencibia]

Thank you for your advice and honesty! I loved you are quite honest with your self and situation. 😊

[@sngopho]

Thanks Meta for passing the knowledge! Real gold stuff and keep the videos coming.

[@cbart]

Is that Scotch Malt Whiskey Society bottles in the background? If so, good choice!

[@agjul]

Thank you for this. It's a nice reality check.

[@jaimecristalino]

Man, your content is sick! Really good! Keep doing it!

[@moestietabarnak]

I like your channel, you're telling me what not to do, I Hates Amazon toxic working environment

[@yardy88]

This is very honest and candid 👍🏻. Big respect

[@monkyspnk777]

Would love to see a video of you giving advice to founders looking for really good engineers or technical cofounder.

[@darthdias]

Totally off-topic, but I find your whisky collection awesome.

[@holdir]

Very good advice. Management support is the more important of the topics 👍

[@SoleroStrike]

This is very helpful! Keep making these videos!

[@ashwin9823]

No BS. Perfect piece of advice

[@handleking1]

Can you do one about work life balance as a senior engineer? How does it compare to the WLB of other senior engineer levels? I.E. Senior, Staff, Senior Staff, Principal

[@oderokennedy7169]

Very good advise. The teleprompter is a bit distracting though, especially when watching. I find no issue when listening in the background

[@BhushBhai]

Excellent advice and the point by point presentation really helps !!! 👏

[@travisrobson5889]

Commenting for the a l g o, and because I want to see more of this solid content.

[@yashlearnscode5502]

S a m e. This is solid advice. Hope his channel booms.

[@Misantronic]

frontline-manager, skiplevel-manager…. I have been working for more than 15 years in the industry and have never heard of those terms… what world is this?

[@videologs7278]

One thing that would help is provide context on the scope of the multiple teams, as in the ownership of the different teams like example of services they would handle.

[@TheBenjam300]

Amazing advice. Thank you so much!!

[@fernandogasperijabalera2065]

Great content, thanks so much! A nit from engineer to engineer, the video could be even more awesome if you'd add some text on your side so the lists and points you are making are easier to follow.

[@ALifeEngineered]

Thanks for the feedback I will do so in the future.

[@disorderedenthropy]

You forgot an important element, corporate politics.

[@badalpandey]

rewatch from @6:45

[@ebrewste]

Really compelling advice! I know it applies to tech, but there is some life lesson stuff in there, too. Amazing!

[@jwxdxd]

Thank you for these great advice!

[@nicoleyu7710]

This is the truth even harsh, I also took several years to figure out how this thing worked, making the right choice is much more important than just working hard 😂

[@kuza55]

Maybe this is a difference with Amazon, but looking at the statistics at the Big Tech company where I work, I see Staff as the top 25% of Engineers at the company by volume. 1% is 2 more promotions after Staff. The rest of this video is spot on though.

[@godblessyou7962]

Half of the L7 SDEs I met in the last 8 years were useless, moved every 2 years around and had no impact to anyone. Just to float on top. The other half is ok.

[@godblessyou7962]

btw. I promoted 3 * L7 in my tenure

[@jkl89966]

Wow, this is incredible!! Thanks so much.

[@Coufu]

Amazing video. You explain nuance very well. Looking forward to more content!

[@kimgss1]

Great video! Would like to see you talk more deeply about SDE II to SDE III

[@arunkutube]

Thanks for sharing your learnings.

[@PhuongVu-jv9eg]

Thank you very much for your content! Keep up the good work.

[@heleng5221]

I have performance review coming up, could you do a video on what to discuss with your manager on OKRs, personal development, etc.. As for another request, I have 1:1 meeting with my manager daily, do you have any tips of how to make the most out of it, like building relationships and development. Thanks heaps!

[@ALifeEngineered]

This is a big topic and I might do a video on it. Generally, you should bring things to your manager in 1:1s and not ask them what to do next. So something like "I'd like to get really good at writing design documents, what should I do next?" vs "What do you think I should work on?"

[@videologs7278]

Second question - What is the role of a Principal engg vs Senior developers like SDE3? I presume SDE3 at Amazon would report to a (Sr)SDM and Principal to a Director (or is it Sr SDM?). What are the typical goals of a Principal? What are your involvement in the execution of a project? Do you contribute with code?

[@ALifeEngineered]

It's a deep question, generally we report to directors and sometimes VPs. Sometimes we are contributing directly to projects, especially when they span many teams.

[@wentaolu5286]

Thank you so much for your advice!

[@thePribs]

Thank you for your content 🙏

[@TF242]

Excellent video and definitely sound advice.

[@jasonhoover1311]

Please do the live office hours!

[@masteryoda9044]

How easy is it to go back to senior engineer from a principal engineer if I don't like working in the role ? I don't think I have heard of engineers stepping down a level while staying in the same company.

[@ZenFurbe]

Thank you so much for your content! This is all really helpful!

[@tafadzwagonera]

Hey man. Can you do office hours, design meetings, etc. On YTube

[@pcshankar]

Great content. Thanks! Keep them coming 😀

[@andressantana]

Right on... Keep them coming.

[@HasitBhatt]

On point!!!

[@buntekuhmachtmuh4505]

Thank you. ❤

[@onerandomscene]

hey meta just want to thank u for your content

[@spuriustadius5034]

6:50, this all seems very tedious and office politic-y, but for what? More money, or is it status or career trajectory? If someone is dissatisfied at level N-1, why would upgrading to level N magically create satisfaction?

[@ALifeEngineered]

Agreed, satisfaction comes from within. If you like where you are at you don't need my videos.

[@samneetsw]

How to look for "a better managerial support" ?

[@tobiagbola5868]

Please do office hours

[@r4riaz]

Wow, I loved this.

[@jackcruff9404]

Great video as always!

[@tatiusmatvey]

wow, my previous office at 3:02

[@obilykua]

Thanks

[@lamhong4083]

Can you share how you control your stress and deadline? Thank you

[@qr-ec8vd]

Thanks!

[@nitinjaiman]

This is gold

[@jamirajamira7303]

What's the possibility of a senior getting promoted to a principal at a different company, all things being equal?

[@saravanakumarp]

Thanks for your videos

[@saravanakumarp]

Really good pointers

[@f0cus246]

Office Hours!

[@alexirabor]

I wish your content existed before I started my journey in Web development, it would have saved me the endless hours I spent studying content that were irrelevant. Thank you for the advice.