A structured framework that defines level expectations and core/craft responsibilities, showing engineers and managers how to measure impact and chart growth at each career stage.
The Engineering Career Framework lays out a concrete map for engineers to understand what impact looks like at each level and how it translates into team success. It separates the model into Level Expectations, which spell out scope, collaborative reach, and the levers an engineer can pull, and Core and Craft Responsibilities that capture the behaviors needed to deliver that impact.
Level Expectations act as the "what" that differentiates an IC3 from an IC4, while the Core responsibilities cover the Results, Direction, Talent, and Culture pillars. Craft expectations drill into discipline-specific skills, telling engineers exactly which technical capabilities they must master at a given level. The framework stresses that these guidelines are not checklists; they require a conversation with a manager to set concrete goals and align on expectations.
For technical leaders, the framework provides a shared language to set clear expectations, hold teams accountable, and reduce ambiguity around promotion criteria. By anchoring engineering work to business impact and providing a transparent growth path, it helps managers drive performance, align career development with company goals, and give engineers a roadmap for advancing their influence.
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