roles
Principal Engineer
Primary Role:
Company-level technical authority for major systems
Reporting Relations:
Reports to Director/VP
Decision Making Authority:
Final say on major technical standards
Stratigic Planning
Shapes long-term tech strategy
Team Management:
None formally; deep influence
Meeting Involvment:
Executive-facing design reviews
Project Management:
Oversees strategic system initiatives
Communication:
Communicates with execs and stakeholders
Professional Development:
→ Distinguished Engineer
Director of Engineering
Primary Role:
Leads multiple engineering teams and managers
Reporting Relations:
Reports to VP/CTO
Decision Making Authority:
Budget + headcount authority
Stratigic Planning
Owns annual planning for domain
Team Management:
Manages EMs/Senior EMs
Meeting Involvment:
Executive leadership contributor
Project Management:
Portfolio-level delivery oversight
Communication:
Executive reporting
Professional Development:
→ VP of Engineering
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Primary Role:
Executive accountable for company-wide technology vision
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO; board-facing
Decision Making Authority:
Enterprise technology authority
Stratigic Planning
Defines long-term tech vision + innovation
Team Management:
Leads VP/Head of Eng
Meeting Involvment:
Executive + board leadership
Project Management:
Oversees major technical bets, M&A diligence
Communication:
External representation + investor narrative
Professional Development:
→ CEO