I can confirm this is true. It helped me to my promotion from SDE1 to SDE2.
The most tenured SDE2 in my team was the POC for 3 incoming projects. The biggest of these, he delegated to me. I was responsible for the design of the project, but this SDE2 helped with communication and alignment with dependent teams.
I got my promotion after this project and he could use this role he played between teams for his promotion to Senior too. If he had been responsible for the entire project, he couldn't have had the scope between multiple teams/projects
Love this simple but powerful tip. Thanks, Ryan 🙏
I can confirm this is true. It helped me to my promotion from SDE1 to SDE2.
The most tenured SDE2 in my team was the POC for 3 incoming projects. The biggest of these, he delegated to me. I was responsible for the design of the project, but this SDE2 helped with communication and alignment with dependent teams.
I got my promotion after this project and he could use this role he played between teams for his promotion to Senior too. If he had been responsible for the entire project, he couldn't have had the scope between multiple teams/projects
Excellent tip and I can confirm that this works for making the jump to Staff+ as well.
As a senior, you want to be asking what problems plague my whole department?
What things does everyone complain about so much that it has become joke. Take on that project that no one else will and give it your all.
Performance is a good place to look for projects like this, especially when you can measure the impact.
In All Hands and Quarterly Kickoffs look for projects that can move the needle on your departments metric.
Great article Ryan. Sometimes finding next-level scope can be difficult but brainstorming with L+1/L+2 engineers is a great way to find it!