Engineering Ladders Framework

Overview
The Engineering Ladders framework provides a structured way for engineering managers to discuss role expectations, career progression, and performance criteria with their direct reports. It defines four career ladders (Developer, Tech Lead, Technical Program Manager, Engineering Manager) and visualizes competency across five axes using radar charts.

Key Takeaways

• Four distinct career ladders are mapped to levels 1-7.
• Five competency axes (Technology, System, People, Process, Influence) each have five progressive levels.
• Radar charts give a quick visual snapshot of a role's current and target state.
• The framework is adaptable to any company's specific titles and responsibilities.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers looking for a consistent career-growth conversation tool.
• Tech leads and senior developers planning next-level responsibilities.
• Technical program managers and HR partners aligning expectations.
• Any software organization seeking a baseline for engineering career paths.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Engineering Ladders framework
• Radar-chart visualisation for competency mapping