Tech ladder template

Medium Engineering Team

This ladder outlines a clear career progression for Individual Contributors in a Software Engineering Team, with 6 levels based on technical skills, software design and architecture, communication and feedback, teamwork and collaboration, autonomy, and expected experience ranging from entry-level to leadership level. It is a generalist ladder applicable to any Engineering team. Great place to start creating your own ladder if you have a medium-size tech team.

Medium team
Individual Contributors
Fullstack
Software Engineering
6 levels
Your company name
2023
Miami
Official

Tech ladder overview

Level 1

Junior Software Engineer

Level 2

Software Engineer

Level 3

Senior Software Engineer

Level 4

Lead Software Engineer

Level 5

Principal Software Engineer

Level 6

Distinguished Engineer

Ladder breakdown

Medium Engineering Team

Level 1

Junior Software Engineer

Entry-level software engineer with 0-2 years of experience. Expected to follow coding standards, complete assigned tasks, and participate in teamwork.

Technical Skills

  • Write clean and efficient code that meets coding standards
  • Debug and troubleshoot basic issues
  • Write and execute test cases effectively.

Software Design & Architecture

  • Understand basic software design patterns
  • Implement small features based on existing architecture
  • Document code changes.

Communication & Feedback

  • Ask for help when needed
  • Provide regular status updates to team lead
  • Actively listen and incorporate feedback.

Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Participate actively in team meetings
  • Contribute to team initiatives and projects
  • Collaborate with teammates effectively.

Autonomy

  • Complete assigned tasks within given deadlines
  • Follow the team's established processes and guidelines
  • Seek out learning opportunities.

Level 2

Software Engineer

Experienced engineer with 2-5 years of experience. Expected to design and implement complex features, optimize code, mentor junior engineers, and take ownership of team initiatives.

Technical Skills

  • Develop and maintain complex code that meets coding standards
  • Optimize code for performance
  • Collaborate with QA team to write and execute comprehensive test plans.

Software Design & Architecture

  • Understand and contribute to software architecture
  • Design and implement new features with minimal guidance
  • Document and communicate design decisions.

Communication & Feedback

  • Effectively communicate technical decisions to team and stakeholders
  • Provide and receive feedback in a constructive manner
  • Lead discussions and presentations.

Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on projects
  • Mentor junior team members
  • Take ownership of team initiatives and drive them to completion.

Autonomy

  • Prioritize and manage tasks effectively
  • Identify opportunities for process improvements
  • Continuously seek out learning opportunities.

Level 3

Senior Software Engineer

Experienced engineer with 5+ years of experience. Expected to drive technical design decisions, troubleshoot complex issues, lead team initiatives, and take ownership of complex technical projects.

Technical Skills

  • Design and implement complex software systems
  • Optimize code for scalability and maintainability
  • Contribute to code reviews and drive code quality.

Software Design & Architecture

  • Develop and communicate software architecture strategy
  • Lead design discussions and decisions
  • Ensure architectural consistency across systems.

Communication & Feedback

  • Effectively communicate technical decisions to executive leadership
  • Provide constructive feedback to peers and junior team members
  • Lead client-facing technical discussions.

Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Lead cross-functional projects with clear timelines and deliverables
  • Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and customers
  • Coach and mentor junior team members.

Autonomy

  • Make independent decisions on technical strategy
  • Identify and prioritize areas of improvement for the team
  • Contribute to the development of new processes and best practices.

Level 4

Lead Software Engineer

Experienced engineer with 7+ years of experience. Expected to lead technical initiatives and mentor other engineers, drive the team's vision and goals, and communicate technical solutions to non-technical audiences.

Technical Skills

  • Develop innovative solutions to complex problems
  • Drive adoption of new technologies
  • Contribute to the development of technical roadmaps.

Software Design & Architecture

  • Lead and communicate the software architecture strategy
  • Ensure scalability, maintainability, and extensibility of software systems
  • Contribute to the development of design guidelines and principles.

Communication & Feedback

  • Lead executive-level technical discussions
  • Provide clear and concise technical guidance to stakeholders
  • Mentor and coach team members on communication and leadership skills.

Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Lead cross-functional projects with clear timelines and deliverables
  • Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and customers
  • Coach and mentor junior team members.

Autonomy

  • Make independent decisions on technical and organizational strategy
  • Identify and prioritize areas of improvement for the team and organization
  • Drive the development of new processes and best practices.

Level 5

Principal Software Engineer

Highly experienced engineer with 10+ years of experience. Expected to set technical direction, drive development of new features, lead cross-functional teams, and mentor and coach other engineers on technical and leadership skills.

Technical Skills

  • Identify and solve complex technical problems across the organization
  • Develop and implement innovative solutions
  • Contribute to the development of industry best practices.

Software Design & Architecture

  • Design and implement complex, scalable, and high-performing software systems.
  • Drive technical decisions on system architecture and design.
  • Collaborate with other teams to ensure system integration.

Communication & Feedback

  • Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Provide constructive feedback to team members and peers.
  • Advocate for technical solutions that meet business needs.

Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Work effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
  • Lead and mentor other engineers on project and initiative work.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and customers.

Autonomy

  • Take ownership of complex technical projects and initiatives.
  • Drive the team's vision and goals forward.
  • Identify and implement process improvements and best practices.

Level 6

Distinguished Engineer

Top technical expert in the company with 15+ years of experience. Expected to drive technical direction of the company, develop and implement technical strategies to achieve business goals, and build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and customers.

Technical Skills

  • Be a recognized expert in the industry and field.
  • Contribute to open-source projects and research communities.
  • Mentor and coach other engineers on technical skills.

Software Design & Architecture

  • Lead the development of complex, large-scale software systems.
  • Set technical direction for the company.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to align technical strategy with business goals.

Communication & Feedback

  • Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Influence and drive technical decisions at the executive level.
  • Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to other engineers and leaders.

Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Lead cross-functional teams and build consensus to achieve complex technical initiatives.
  • Represent the company in technical forums and conferences.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key industry influencers and partners.

Autonomy

  • Drive technical innovation and excellence across the company.
  • Identify and lead the implementation of large-scale process improvements and best practices.
  • Coach and mentor other engineers and leaders on technical and leadership skills.

Align, evaluate and keep track of your team growth in one place

A sketch of a tech ladder with a button labeled "Add Requirement" and two existing requirements: "Provide regular status updates to team lead", and "Ask for help when needed".
Step 1

Quickly set expectations on career development

Start from scratch or select a tech ladder template from the dozens of industry-tested options.

A checklist of three requirements, indicating completion status. The requirements are as follows: 1 - Conduct code reviews (Completed); 2 - Make constant deliveries; 3 - Help team members (Completed)
Step 2

Understand team performance without the bias

Check what proven behaviors your reports show in the workplace and see your team's full picture.

A sketch of a tech ladder showcasing the leveling two fullstack developers. One developer is shown at 80% completion in the senior level, while the other developer is shown at 50% completion in the mid-level.
Step 3

Have more meaningful career conversations

Drive your team's growth through an actionable list of steps customized to each team member.