Senior/Staff Engineer Competencies

by Steve Brownlee

This article is largely for myself, but if you stumble upon this during your odyssey of navigating the World Wide Web, please enjoy. I spent 5 months (October 2023 through February 2024) scouring dozens of posted job levels for technical teammates. I also included my own opinions and observations in the descriptions below.

If you, like me, have discovered that the titled of Senior and Staff have largely lost any real meaning for software developers, I earnestly hope that these simple tables provide some insight and guidance for you.

Senior Software Engineer Competencies

Competency Skills Description
Technical Expertise Coding, debugging, code quality, technical trade-offs Demonstrates high-level proficiency in programming languages and frameworks, regularly writes and reviews code, makes decisions on technical trade-offs, and understands system security and performance implications.
Problem Solving Debugging, critical thinking, technical decision-making Regularly identifies, analyzes, and resolves complex technical issues, prioritizes technical debt management, and makes pragmatic decisions on when to focus on essential features versus additional refinements.
System Design Architecture design, system integration, performance optimization Designs resilient and scalable software architectures, considers the overall technical direction of the team or department, and integrates multiple technical components efficiently.
Leadership and Mentorship Team management, mentoring, technical guidance Leads technical projects, mentors junior engineers, facilitates technical discussions, and takes ownership of complex projects. Ensures team adherence to best practices and fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
Communication Technical writing, stakeholder communication, documentation Clearly communicates technical concepts to various audiences, documents complex systems and solutions, runs effective meetings, and participates in the hiring process by conducting interviews and reviewing candidates.
Collaboration Teamwork, cross-functional communication, feedback facilitation Collaborates across teams to solve problems, seeks input from other teams, and fosters a culture of open communication and productive discussions. Actively participates in team rituals and ensures clear communication of project statuses and technical challenges.
Delivery and Execution Project management, task prioritization, agile methodologies Prioritizes technical work, breaks down complex tasks into manageable user stories, ensures timely delivery of projects, and continuously improves delivery processes. Moves blockers and provides clear status updates to stakeholders and team leads.
Continuous Learning Curiosity, adaptability, skill development Stays updated with the latest industry trends and technologies, participates in continuous learning through courses and certifications, and applies new knowledge to improve team and personal performance. Encourages a learning culture within the team by sharing knowledge and best practices.
Decision Making Technical trade-offs, risk assessment, strategic thinking Evaluates technical and business trade-offs, makes informed decisions considering both short-term and long-term impacts, and articulates the rationale behind decisions. Balances innovation with pragmatic solutions to meet project goals efficiently.
Innovation Creativity, strategic vision, forward-thinking Drives innovation by exploring new technologies and methodologies, proposes creative solutions to complex problems, and aligns technical direction with overall business goals. Encourages team members to think outside the box and experiment with new approaches to enhance product and process improvements.

Staff Software Engineer Competencies

Competency Skills Description
Technical Expertise Advanced coding, debugging, architecture design, scalability Demonstrates expert-level proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks, designs complex systems, ensures high code quality, and makes strategic technical decisions.
Strategic Problem Solving Advanced debugging, architectural problem-solving, system optimization Solves high-impact and complex technical challenges, optimizes system performance, and balances short-term and long-term technical strategies.
Architectural Vision Enterprise architecture, large-scale system integration, technology strategy Develops and implements a comprehensive technical vision that aligns with business goals, designs large-scale systems, and ensures alignment with organizational strategy.
Leadership and Strategic Guidance Organizational leadership, mentorship, cross-team strategy Provides strategic leadership, mentors senior and junior engineers, and guides cross-team initiatives. Plays a crucial role in setting the technical direction for the organization and ensuring the alignment of technical projects with business objectives.
Advanced Communication Executive communication, technical evangelism, documentation Communicates complex technical concepts to executive leadership, stakeholders, and technical teams, evangelizes new technologies and methodologies, and ensures comprehensive documentation of architectural decisions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Inter-departmental communication, strategic partnerships, consensus building Facilitates collaboration across departments, builds strategic partnerships, and drives consensus on technical and business decisions. Actively participates in strategic planning and cross-functional projects to align technical and business objectives.
Execution Excellence Advanced project management, strategic prioritization, agile leadership Leads the execution of high-impact projects, prioritizes initiatives strategically, and implements best practices in project management and agile methodologies. Ensures that technical projects are aligned with business goals and delivered on time and within budget.
Continuous Innovation Emerging technology adoption, process improvement, innovation strategy Continuously explores and adopts emerging technologies, drives process improvements, and develops strategies for innovation. Fosters a culture of innovation within the organization by encouraging experimentation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.
Strategic Decision Making High-stakes technical decisions, risk management, long-term planning Makes high-stakes technical decisions, manages technical risks, and develops long-term strategic plans that align with business goals. Evaluates the impact of technical decisions on the organization and ensures that they support the overall business strategy.
Visionary Leadership Vision setting, strategic influence, organizational impact Sets a compelling technical vision for the organization, influences strategic technical and business decisions, and drives initiatives that have a significant impact on the organization’s success. Provides visionary leadership that inspires and motivates technical teams to achieve ambitious goals.