Things I Wish I Knew as a Senior Engineer

TLDRLearn the key insights and advice for software engineers transitioning to senior roles. Understand the importance of impact, relationships, problem-solving, and trust. Avoid tying your identity to specific technologies. Leverage your manager and communicate effectively. Build trust by delivering on your promises and being a positive force in the team.

Key insights

:dart:Focus on impact, relationships, and problem-solving as a senior engineer.

:hammer_and_wrench:Avoid tying your identity to specific technologies or frameworks.

:clock1:Explore opportunities beyond your core expertise to have a larger impact.

:grinning:Leverage your manager as a partner and provide valuable insights for team improvement.

:handshake:Earn trust by following through on your commitments and being easy to work with.

Q&A

How can I have a larger impact as a senior engineer?

Focus on projects that have significant business impact and build lasting relationships with team members.

Should I specialize in a specific technology as a senior engineer?

It's best to be open to using different technologies to solve problems and focus on the impact you can have.

What role does a manager play for a senior engineer?

A manager should be a partner, allowing for open discussions about growth, team improvement, and project direction.

How can I build trust as a senior engineer?

Deliver on your commitments, communicate effectively, and be a positive force in the team.

What skills are most valuable for a senior engineer?

Technical skills are important, but problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building are crucial for success.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The speaker shares their experience as a software engineer across multiple companies in Silicon Valley.

03:58Avoid tying your identity to specific technologies or frameworks as a senior engineer.

06:52Focus on projects that have significant business impact and solve problems outside your core expertise.

08:19Your manager should be a partner, and you should actively contribute to team improvement.

10:43Trust is crucial for senior engineers; deliver on your commitments and be easy to work with.