Senior Is Not the End: Where to Grow Further 

Many mature developers experience a feeling of being stuck in the same position for a while. The good news is that there are many options for growing in IT, depending on your interest and potential. Let’s cover them in the article with Anastasiia Kovalchuk, Growth Specialist at Intellias, explaining what senior career growth options are available.

Who senior engineers are and what comes after

A senior engineer has overcome many challenges working on numerous projects and possesses strong technical expertise. Their main task is to make the right technological decisions that benefit the business and minimize costs. Senior engineers solve problems before they arise and can mentor others to become senior specialists.

Depending on local job market trends, the senior position is followed by such titles as senior level 2 or 3, expert engineer, advanced developer, or lead. You can also be a senior in one field or project and a strong middle or lead in another because each project has unique challenges and requirements.

Technical paths for senior engineers  

Sometimes, management is only one way of career growth wavering on the horizon. Going into management is great if you’ve already worked with code. Such a background is a big plus for a delivery manager or project coordinator. However, this is a step aside, and a managerial role may not correspond to your interests. It’s crucial to remember that this is not the only option. For those wanting to deepen their technical expertise, there are several alternative career opportunities to explore.

Technical lead 

A technical lead deals with technical issues and manages a team of developers, ensuring the quality of technical work on the project. It is important to notice that a technical lead does not equal a team lead. The latter communicates with the team, clients, and other teams, organizes team buildings, and then can grow in management. In large companies, these are two different roles.

Tech lead’s responsibilities include:

• Software development methodology
• Technical stack for the project
• Structural parts of the software system
• Internal stages
• Service level indicators
• Code review
• Cross-team interaction
• Technical interviews 

Architect 

A software architect or solution architect usually comes after the technical lead position. An architect creates and solves complex IT solutions and is responsible for how the product structure will look from a technical point of view. They lay the project’s foundation, ensuring flexibility and reducing risks with competent decisions. Architects may grow into chief technical officers (CTOs). CTOs can provide technical or business solutions or both at once.

Architect’s responsibilities: 

• Balancing development costs with solution flexibility
• Choosing technologies (e.g., monolith or microservices)
• Implementation control

Technical consultant

This is a relatively new position on the market. A tech consultant specializes in business process analytics. There are consultants in companies and external ones who consult businesses.

Technical consultants are responsible for:  

• Information gathering and IT audit  
• Development of IT strategy  
• Development of the technical task  
• Project management 
• Development of new or support of existing software or technologies  
• Implementation of a particular project’s stage

Industrial expert 

An industrial expert understands a specific industry or domain, analyzing typical problems and finding solutions. These experts are often critical figures in companies, involved in the pre-sale stage and in discussions with clients. Companies are mostly trying to retain and invest in such specialists.  

Key responsibilities:

• Technical knowledge of the customer’s business and industry specifics
• Taking part in negotiations with clients
• Stay updated with the industry challenges and propose on-point solutions 

Skills needed to grow as a senior engineer 

It’s essential to focus on what interests you most. A good specialist will always be in demand and receive good rewards. The key is to do what you like, and you will always find a place for yourself.

Expanding expertise 

If you’re passionate about coding and comfortable in a senior position, moving into management isn’t necessary. You can switch to another tech stack or transition to a different project. Supplementing your expertise with additional knowledge makes you highly valued, especially if it’s rare programming languages like Scala or Elixir. 

Non-technical development: trainings, conferences, and personal branding 

Developing your personal brand through speaking engagements, writing, or participating in conferences can lead to recognition and invitations to high-profile projects. Benefits include:

• Structuring your knowledge  
• Reflecting on your practical experience  
• Analyzing achievements and progress  
• Staying updated with current technologies  
• Building confidence
• Enhancing professional presence at work
• Promoting yourself in the market

Senior engineers can find fulfilling and rewarding ways to advance their careers by exploring these various paths. Whether through technical expertise, management, consulting, or personal branding, the growth opportunities are plentiful.