Titles for Software Engineers

At IMG.LY, we have simple criteria for our internal titles for a certain job. For each job, we define different stages from beginner to lead roles.
We are aware that not everyone will fit each and every requirement for a stage, however, this guide should help in understanding our work. Our mentality is hands-on and we believe that theory without building something only gets you so far. We iterate, refactor, and rebuild whenever necessary without losing focus of our bigger goal: “Building great products for us and our customers”.

Junior Software Engineer

Needs supervision and back and forth review before finishing a feature/task.
Works on tightly scoped and straight forward features.
Has a basic understanding of architectural patterns.
Uses basic features of programming languages but advanced features have still to be mastered.
Has usually less than two years of experience in professional software development.

Software Engineer

Can work alone on a feature but needs occasional review loopback cycles from a senior.
Can apply common architectural patterns in new environments.
Works mostly on clearly defined features.
Feels responsible for software quality and helps maintain high standards.
Has usually between 2 to 4 years of experience in professional software development.

Senior Software Engineer

Can provide helpful and informative feedback to other Team members.
Can work on vaguely defined features and helps to refine those features with fellow designers and engineers.
Can work in complete autonomy as a sole engineer if necessary on a feature from ideation, over definition to full implementation with the help of a designer, and no further input.
Has a deep expertise in at least a minimum of one programming environment.
Has an understanding of architectural patterns and can apply them on a per need basis.
Feels responsible for software, design, and product quality alike and enforces high standards.
Has usually between 4 to 8 years of experience in professional software development.

Lead Software Engineer

Can work completely independently and autonomously with no need of any kind of supervision.
Helps and supports fellow software engineers to get to work.
Can work on a large chunk of features or complete software application without any kind of supervision.
Is capable of executing projects across multiple domains.
Can manage a team of engineers.
Helps set new standards and introduce new technologies at img.ly.
Has deep knowledge and experience in multiple programming environments.
Has usually between 8 to 12 years of experience in professional software development.
Is an evangelist of his and IMG.LY’s work.

Chief Software Engineer

Is able to set the direction of the entire department, software and product-wise.
Has always a good oversight of cutting-edge technologies and knows when to introduce them beneficially.
Can manage multiple teams of engineers.
Can design, concept, build, and maintain novel software while maintaining and enforcing our standards.
Has usually plus 8 years of experience in professional software development.
Is an evangelist of his and img.ly’s work and shares knowledge at conferences, meetups, social media, and so forth.