CSEComputer Science & Engineering MapThe connected map of computing knowledge and engineering careers.

Career paths

Level-specific learning paths across software engineering.

How the career model works →

Progression model

Career levels

Career pathA related progression.Career levelA progression point.Learning areaA concept group inside a level.Role overlayAn optional responsibility set.

Level dependency graph

Career levels

Follow the arrows from foundational IC levels into Advanced IC or management. Optional overlays branch directly from the level they extend.

Main progression
Career levels and overlays

IC (Independent Contributor)

Software Developer
Software Engineer
Junior Software Developer
Key responsibility
Implements small, well-scoped changes with guidance.
Scope
Individual tasks and small application features.
Typical professional experience
0-2 years
Junior Software Engineer
Key responsibility
Scoped tasks and small features with guidance.
Scope
Contributes inside a team with frequent review and mentoring.
Typical professional experience
0-2 years
Software Developer
Key responsibility
Owns application features from implementation through release.
Scope
Features, modules, and local application design.
Typical professional experience
2-5 years
Software Engineer
Key responsibility
Owns features and small services within a team.
Scope
Drives local design decisions and collaborates across nearby code areas.
Typical professional experience
2-5 years
Senior Software Developer
Key responsibility
Leads complex implementation and codebase-level design.
Scope
Large application areas and developer practices within a team.
Typical professional experience
5+ years
Senior Software Engineer
Key responsibility
Leads delivery and technical direction for a team-owned system area.
Scope
Single team and adjacent teams or a specific codebase domain.
Typical professional experience
5+ years
OverlayLead Software EngineerKey responsibilityAligns engineering decisions, tradeoffs, and execution inside a team.

Advanced IC Engineer progression

Staff Engineer
Key responsibility
Raises technical quality and direction across multiple teams.
Scope
Cluster of teams or a highly specialized domain.
Typical professional experience
7+ years
OverlayLead Software EngineerKey responsibilityAligns engineering decisions, tradeoffs, and execution inside a team.
Principal Engineer
Key responsibility
Connects architecture, platform direction, reliability, and product strategy.
Scope
Multiple departments or cross-functional initiatives.
Typical professional experience
10+ years
Distinguished Engineer
Key responsibility
Shapes company-wide standards, architecture, and long-term engineering bets.
Scope
Entire company.
Typical professional experience
15+ years
Fellow
Key responsibility
Shapes industry-facing technical direction and the company’s highest-leverage technology bets.
Scope
Company, ecosystem, and industry.
Typical professional experience
18+ years

Engineering Management progression

Engineering Manager
Key responsibility
Owns team health, people growth, hiring, delivery systems, and execution.
Scope
A team or closely related group of engineers.
Typical professional experience
6+ years
Director of Engineering
Key responsibility
Coordinates staffing, investment decisions, delivery, and technical direction across teams.
Scope
Multiple teams or an engineering department.
Typical professional experience
10+ years
VP of Engineering
Key responsibility
Leads the engineering organization, operating model, investment, and execution.
Scope
Engineering organization.
Typical professional experience
12-15+ years
CTO
Key responsibility
Sets company-wide technology strategy and long-term technical direction.
Scope
Company, customers, partners, and technology ecosystem.
Typical professional experience
15+ years
BaseIC (Independent Contributor)↓
Specialized domainsSpecializations↓

Application Development

Application development

Product, service, interface, and mobile application engineering.

↓

Architecture

Architecture

Software, solution, and enterprise-scale technical design competencies.

↓

Infrastructure & Systems

Infrastructure and systems

Cloud, deployment, platform, and reliability engineering.

↓

Security & Quality

Security and quality engineering

Software quality, testing strategy, secure systems, and application security.

↓

Data & AI

Data and artificial intelligence

Data pipelines, analytical platforms, production ML, and AI systems.

↓
After Senior EngineerAdvanced IC and management↓