Engineer levels and years of experience Google hires engineers with 2-4 years of experience or a Ph. 59/60 is entry level SDE 61/62 is SDE 2 63/64 is Senior SDE 65+ is Principal 60 is totally reasonable for 1-3 years experience. A mid-level engineer should have 3-5 years of experience or a bachelor’s in computer science with a year or two of experience. Nov 18, 2022 · Here’s an informative chart representing the different ways software engineering levels are addressed in big tech companies: Source: Levels. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $80,468. This level will make business tradeoff decisions, often mentor others on the team, and lead large chunks of engineering work. fyi, I threw together a quick and easy visualization to help understand leveling, yoe (years of experience), and median total compensation across each of the 6 FAANGs. It is similar to primary school where there are entry-level engineers with only a few years of experience and programming foundations. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $81,182, and those with over 8 years of That being said years of experience don’t mean too much… having 10 years of construction inspection experience won’t really translate as well to a senior design engineer as 10 years of progressive experience in design. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $102,847, and those with over 8 years of Jun 23, 2024 · It is important to know that, although Amazon Levels are offered based on your previous experience, there are no set age brackets for any level. SDE1 are usually engineers with no experience or up to 2 years of experience. Software Engineer Description: Mid-level role with a broader range of responsibilities and more independence. May 20, 2021 · Experience and Education: Engineers at this level typically have up to three years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Mar 4, 2025 · Engineers at this level usually have between three and six years of experience. Staff Engineer (15+ yrs) E-6 Principal Engineer (15+ yrs) E1-E3 are pretty standard, reach the expected years of experience and you're fine. As a Software Engineer II at Google, you hold an entry-level position where you are expected to perform foundational tasks in software development. Mar 24, 2025 · A supervisor may quality check much of your work and your job title may reflect first-level engineering status for up to two years. Sep 21, 2023 · An undergraduate or master’s degree engineer is a good fit at L3 with 0-1 years of experience. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $102,953. Engineers with 6+ years of work experience are hired at L5. L4 - 1-5 years of industry experience, sometimes awarded to high potential new grads and PhDs. However, experience alone is not the Jul 6, 2024 · Recent salary data from levels. To hold this position, they should have extensive education in programming, coding languages, software development and troubleshooting strategies. In using the guidelines, therefore, keep the following in mind: Apr 1, 2025 · An entry-level Mechanical Engineer I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $78,970. Jul 1, 2024 · Mid-level software engineers, also known as Engineer II, usually has two to five years of experience in software development. 3 days ago · An entry-level Experienced Manufacturing Engineer with less than 1 year of experience earns about $86,901. They may also mentor Interns and freshers. Engineer Manager (10+ years) If you see yourself as someone who can manage teams and work for the development of an organization taking forward the technology, then this position is meant Junior: less than 2 years of experience; Associate: with 2-5 years of experience; Mid-level: with 5-10 years of experience; Senior: with 10+ years of experience; Lead: who supervise a team of employees; Manager: who have overall responsibility for a department or division; Director: who have overall responsibility for a business unit or function Sep 23, 2018 · The matrix has a three-level structure that correlates with the Junior-Middle-Senior role distribution. Learned the basics of building software in a team, and working with other areas. Level 2 was 10+ years experience or MS + >5 Years experience. This means individual promos are smaller, but should generally happen more often. L6(Level 6): Staff Software Engineer See full list on salarship. ) 59-60: SDE 1 (Software Development Engineer I) 0-2 years: 61-62: SDE 2 (Software Development Engineer II) 2-5 years: 63-64: Senior SDE (Senior Software Development Engineer) 5-10 years: 65-67: Principal SDE (Principal Software Development Engineer) 10+ years: 68-69: Partner SDE (Partner Software Experience guide: 1-2 year ‍ ‍Have worked in the industry for about a year. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $99,155. L5(Level 5): Senior Software Engineer. The tool may be used to compare levels and, occasionally, titles across companies. For us Level 1 was BS with <5 experience. ‍ Has a good grasps of the basics, and can generally work solo on small features, and with assistance on bigger features. Software Engineer II: 0 to 1 year of experience BSc students enter at this level. Grade IV Engineers (GS-11) Engineering Rankings: E-5 Sr. We also had Level 3 and 4. Jan 1, 2023 · At Meta, entry-level software engineers start at the E3 level and can advance to higher levels like M2 (Software Engineering Manager) or E8 (Principle Software Engineer), depending on their skills and experience. Mar 13, 2021 · (L3, 2-4 years of experience) Software Engineer IV — $141,656 (L4, 5-7 years of experience) Principal Software Engineer — $153,346 (L5, 8 or more years of experience) Director of Software Engineering — $165,168 (L6, 8 or more years of experience) Source: Glassdoor. Since your started uni your projects should be putting you in an experience gaining position. L4 (Software Engineer): Requires 2-5 years of experience. Software Engineer Level III (E5) Average base salary: $207,756 per year. A director of engineering must understand a company’s broader goals and vision. These are some common titles within this level of the hierarchy: Oct 11, 2024 · For software engineers, this is the road most traveled. We are going to refer to this source while describing the tech knowledge expectations for each seniority level Its a fucking facade. It’s right there in front of you. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $89,200. Thus, their job responsibilities are a combination of technical and management duties. fyi developed a standard leveling tool that highlights the level ladders at many of the tech industry's most notable names. Level III SWE’s at Facebook are also entry-level Software Engineering Managers. Your job title and engineering level will depend on your years of experience, technical skills and level of promotion. They earn an average base salary of $364K per year. Engineers handle moderately complex projects and mentor junior developers. At this level, you're not just a coder; you're a technical leader. Equipped with years of experience, these individuals play pivotal roles in driving projects and are recognized pillars in their teams. Top Pay by Years of Experience for Product Managers. at L4. At this point, they should have mastered 2-3 One thing you will have to understand is that years of experience is not always what determines your grade in many companies. It means 3 - 5 years of engineering shit. Involves more ownership over features or components, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to project planning. As an Entry Level Engineer, you’ll be expected to develop and maintain lower complexity components under the guidance and tutelage of more experienced team members. SDE2 is an engineer with 2 to 4 years of experience and to get promoted to SDE3 one needs 4 or more years of experience. • Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program • Master’s degree or equivalent (optional) Jan 28, 2025 · Engineering level refers to a person's position or role within a team or company structure. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $81,099, and those with over 8 years of Apr 22, 2025 · Professionals at the SE IV level typically have six to ten years of relevant experience in Software Engineering. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $100,038. Feb 16, 2025 · E4 SWE’s must possess a minimum of two to four years of experience. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $122,638. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $128,389, and those with over 8 years of Dec 4, 2020 · For example, Google has eight levels on its software engineering ladder, while Facebook has seven and Microsoft thirteen. They should be proficient in one or two languages/frameworks and have dabbled in a few other languages. Entry level engineering is one grade below management and pay increases are capped at 3-4% per year. The guidelines outline the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities associated with engineers at each grade. Jan 15, 2019 · When someone just joins the team, they are by default at the junior level no matter how many years of experience they have. ‍ Shows enthusiasm, and strong commitment to learning and Mar 17, 2025 · Experience matters: Three years of experience is typically required to reach this level, and that experience will be invaluable in your day-to-day work. Engineer Asc - Level 2(E2) = 2-5yrs of experience aka. 0–2 years: 2: Well developed professional and technical expertise. Level 5: Senior Software Engineer: $180,000 - $220,000: Engineers who take ownership of major projects, lead design decisions Using mostly data from levels. L4(Level 4): Software Engineer III. Many aspiring programmers hope for a six-figure salary when considering working at Amazon. This has not been typical of my 10 years as an engineer in the UK +6% per year of experience above inflation More or less accurate, but from my experience definitely slows down after ~7 years or so Sep 29, 2022 · Standard Software Engineer Career Levels Source: Edvard Alexander Rølvaag on Unsplash. 3 days ago · An entry-level Entry Mechanical Engineer with less than 1 year of experience earns about $79,048. Their responsibilities include basic programming tasks like troubleshooting, code reviews, and testing software systems. These levels Dec 26, 2024 · Entry-level engineers with 0-2 years of experience. Senior-level engineers are entrusted with complex and critical projects that require advanced problem-solving skills and a comprehensive knowledge of industry best practices. Level 4 was reserved for PhDs. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $108,670, and those with over 8 years of Mar 2, 2023 · The difference between each of those levels is at the first level; the expectation is that our team member is exhibiting some to many of the behaviors at that level. A Junior Engineer or Engineer I has approximately 1-2 years experience with at least one language of focus. Metropolitan Areas. Amazon Levels Explained Feb 1, 2021 · The Entry Level Engineer is typically a new graduate with a freshly minted university degree, and may have up to two years of applicable professional experience. United States Average Annual Total Compensation $343,102 Base Salary $199,375 Stock Grant (/yr)$123,182 Bonus $20,545 Sep 4, 2024 · Below given positions can be chosen if you want to go to the management level after completing 10+ years of experience as a Principal Software Engineer. So there might be 45-year-old Level 6s as there can be 30-year-old L6s, but obviously if you are a new grad, your level would ideally be Level 3 or Level 4. Feb 14, 2018 · Microsoft has twice as many levels as a lot of companies. $120,000 - $160,000+ ₹14 - ₹30 lakhs: L4: Software Engineer III: 2 to 4 years of experience MSc students enter at this level. Entry-level engineers (0-2 years of experience) who focus on learning and coding. It doesn't Mena anything. 1. Staff Software Engineer (Level 6) This is where software engineers begin transitioning into leadership roles with 10+ years of experience in the domain. Feb 25, 2025 · Experience Level: 7-10 years. It is important to note that these titles are not permanent. Scope If you don't have experience in a "Google level" company (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Microsoft, etc. L1: Engineer I: Impact. So L4 = level 4 E{n} stands for Engineer {n}. Technology companies or software development companies typically create career ladders to outline specific job levels for engineers. Engineer Sr - Level 4(E4) = 9-14yrs of experience aka. Engineers at this level have accumulated years of experience and possess a deep understanding of their respective engineering disciplines. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $79,521. Mid-level engineer The second career level for an engineer typically encompasses all entry-level engineers who have at least two years of experience. ICT3: Software engineers with an intermediate experience level are hired at this level. fyi shows that the average salary for an Amazon Software Engineer in the US is around $284,000 per year, with salaries ranging from $180,000 to $644,000 depending on experience and role. You're the one who sets the standard for code quality and mentors the next generation of engineers. The matrix also includes Level 0, which, in our opinion, equals a Trainee-level Software Engineer. 3 days ago · An entry-level Mechanical Engineer IV with less than 1 year of experience earns about $121,679. 2. Senior at most companies just means being an expert implementer and perhaps leading some decisions on your team in regards to design. Couple things to note: L{n} stands for Level {n}. Related: 44 engineering interview questions Moving towards more technical roles After developing more than six years of software engineering experience, you may opt to progress into more technical engineering roles. Leads small to medium-sized projects, designs systems, performs code reviews Mar 5, 2025 · Curious about Software Engineer Levels and how they impact career growth? The expected salary for a software engineer with 3 years of experience can be between 6 days ago · Often working on well-defined tasks and projects under the guidance of more experienced engineers. U. The pay between each level varied 20k-30k. Aug 19, 2022 · If you want to get to a certain level, these are the things you need to aspire to do. 3 days ago · An entry-level Manufacturing Engineer III with less than 1 year of experience earns about $98,603. At the second level, the expectation is mastery of most of the behaviors and also beginning to exhibit behaviors at one level above. ” The guidelines outline the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities associated with engineers at each grade, from student intern up through 20-plus years of experience. Hierarchy Principal engineers are in higher-level positions compared to senior engineers. How much experience you need to work in a mid-level electrical engineering position depends on the company you work for. Although mostly Apr 1, 2025 · An entry-level Civil Engineer III with less than 1 year of experience earns about $102,378. $160,000 - $220,000+ ₹30 - ₹45 lakhs: L5: Senior Software Engineer Manager I: 4 to 8 years PhD students enter at this level . L5 (Senior Software Engineer): Engineers with 5-8 years of experience. Able to resolve routine issues and problems. In this article, we’ll focus on the SDE job family and dissect the different levels by their roles, responsibilities, and experience. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $124,171. L5 - Senior Software Engineer: Typically 5-8+ years of experience. Engineer Sr Stf - Level 6(E6) = > 20yrs of experience aka Jan 28, 2025 · A senior engineer can be an official job title or an indicator of seniority you earn after working with a company for years. Director of engineering. On average, they typically have around 5 to 10 years of industry experience. com. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $80,549. Most places that collect data look at salaries ASCE’s Guidelines for Engineering Grades were created to help engineers and their employers recognize an engineer’s level of professional development and career advancement. They have accumulated a wealth of hands-on experience, are considered technical leaders, and have a track record of successful software projects. We categorize Product Manager compensation into four levels based on years of experience: Entry (0–3 years), Experienced (4–6 years), Senior (7–10 years), and Leader (11+ years). E-5/E-6 are really all about the impact of the work you're leading, I've seen E-5s with 40+ years of experience and an E-6 with 20+ Mar 15, 2025 · A senior engineer is a mid-level position in the engineering hierarchy, typically requiring 5-10 years of experience and a strong track record of engineering achievements. Feb 16, 2025 · Each Software Engineer level at Apple is granted based on the experience and skill expected from the role: ICT2: Usually hire new graduates at this level. More experienced engineers may also be part of professional practice organizations, local programs, or committees. May 24, 2024 · Google Level Grading, Expectations and Salaries Software Engineer II (L3 | 0-1 Year of Experience) Role Description. Jun 12, 2024 · Software Development Engineer II (SDE 2): SDE 2 is an intermediate-level position where engineers have gained more experience typically more than 3 years and may take on more complex projects and responsibilities. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $92,073, and those with over 8 Apr 7, 2021 · Junior developers usually have 1-3 years of development experience. Engineer I or Junior Engineer. Levels. Work under guidance on well-defined tasks. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $104,104. Engineer - Level 3(E3) = 5-9yrs of experience aka. Feb 14, 2024 · LM's leveling structure goes like this: Individual Contributor(IC) Route - - Level 1(E1) = 0-2yrs of experience aka. It doesn't mean 3 - 5 years of work experience. A. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $79,600. ) then don't be surprised when you get down-leveled to L4. Mar 3, 2025 · A mid-level electrical engineer usually has at least five years of experience, but typically holds 10 to 15 years of experience, especially in management roles. A senior engineer will lead feature sets, applications and critical product development work. Each grade includes expected: Jun 21, 2024 · In the realm of software engineering, companies often use a tiered system to categorize engineers based on their experience, capabilities, and contributions to the organization. Nov 13, 2019 · Level Description Typical Experience; 1: Developing professional and technical expertise. Engineer Stf - Level 5(E5) = 14-20yrs of experience aka. You can be 10+ years in the company and still be at level 2 while someone with 5 years could reach level 3. L5- Senior Software Engineer: 6-9 years of industry experience. ICT4: Three to Five years of experience in software development is necessary for this level. fyi. Feb 16, 2025 · A senior software engineer is expected to bring six to ten years of experience to the job level. Sep 12, 2024 · Level Title Years of Experience (Approx. Jan 25, 2021 · SDE III (L6): This is a senior software engineer in the greater market, ranging from eight to ten years of industry experience. S. E-4 you'll need good reviews or overshoot the YOE. The 'apparent' value you bring into the organization matters. D. The standard software engineering career levels are as follows: Level 1 - Software Engineer; Level 2 - Senior Engineer; Level 3 - Staff Engineer (alternate: Senior Staff Engineer) Level 4 - Principal Engineer; Level 5 - Distinguished Engineer / Fellow Aug 14, 2024 · Thus, as the years of experience grow, the SDE level of an engineer also increases. Level 3 varied but it was basically just anytime after being Level 2 for a few years. But if they know the tech stack, they can be considered senior. May 14, 2020 · L3 - Full time, entry level Software Engineer, also known as the “new grad level”. Oct 19, 2023 · Ascending to the rank of a Senior Software Engineer (Level 4 software engineer) signifies a significant milestone in an engineer’s journey. ICT{n} stands for Individual Contributor track. com • Engineering Intern/Engineer-in-Training, Designer, Engineering Associate, Analyst ExpERIENCE • 0+ years • 0+ years • 2+ years EDUCAtION • Enrolled in an ABET/EAC-accredited bachelor’s degree program in engineering. Aug 28, 2024 · L4 - Software Engineer: Mid-level engineer, often with 2-5 years of experience. Level 4: Software Engineer II: $150,000 - $180,000: Engineers with 2-5 years of experience working on more complex tasks and projects. An L4 engineer often has: L4 Engineer Experience: 5+ years in the field. This is the level most engineers are at internally within Google. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $87,110. Senior engineers hold significant responsibilities, including leading project teams, mentoring junior engineers, and designing and developing complex systems. People are different: they learn different things at different speeds and each one has a unique Mar 5, 2024 · How Many Years of Experience is Senior Level Software Engineer? The number of years of experience required for a senior-level software engineer can vary depending on the organization and the individual’s skills and achievements. Staff engineers can have titles like staff engineer I, II, and III that indicate seniority based on experience. View the compensation for all companies here. Experience: Typically 0-2 years of experience, recent graduates or individuals in the early stages of their career. In contrast, Google designates its entry-level software engineers as L3. djzx bauze pfurtbe jil ztrpvi uagoaok mgte cprhezv djzr kmfpswx hsxrw xymh slxrw cxrvy mlxv