Career Paths for Software Engineers at Large Tech Companies

Published on 18.11.2025

PRODUCTIVITY

Career paths for software engineers at large tech companies

TLDR: Ethan Evans, former VP of Engineering at Amazon who oversaw 1,000+ engineers, shares proven strategies for career advancement in Big Tech. The article covers concrete tactics for promotions from mid-level (L5) to senior (L6) and principal (L7) roles, including when to transition into management and how different leadership levels operate.

Career paths for software engineers at large tech companies