Career Development Framework

This framework provides a structured approach to career development that benefits both individuals and organizations. It creates clarity around expectations, progression paths, and growth opportunities while ensuring fair and consistent evaluation.

The framework includes level definitions from junior to principal/distinguished engineer, competency matrices covering technical, leadership, and impact dimensions, dual-track progression for IC and management paths, and clear promotion criteria with example evidence. It also provides tools for gap analysis, development planning, and progress tracking.

Implementation guidance covers how to customize for your organization's context, facilitate career conversations effectively, use the framework for fair compensation decisions, and avoid common pitfalls like level inflation or rigid application.

By providing transparency and structure to career growth, this framework helps retain top talent, ensures equitable advancement opportunities, and aligns individual growth with organizational needs. It's particularly valuable for scaling companies transitioning from informal to formal career development processes.