Principal Engineers: What should we expect from them?

Video 25: In this episode, the Engineering Leadership Guy describes some of his original research on Principal Engineers who declined promotions into management. Specifically, he describes a six-fold paradigm for what we should expect from Principal Engineers.
Link to my Journal Article on which this video is based: tomulrichconsulting.com/materi...
Link to my website: tomulrichconsulting.com/

[@binc75]

I'm a Principal Engineer and I finally found a comprehensive explanation of my role ;-).
Thanks!

[@tomulrich2999]

Thank you Nicola! Your comment makes me very happy... this is exactly the sort of thing I'm trying to accomplish.

[@kalheer]

Best video ive seen on senior/principal engineer insights 👏

[@ajaysharma2061]

Thank you, Dr. Tom. I am really thankful for explaining the roles of a Principal Engineer. I just got a job as Principal Engineer in the Data Analytics domain. I am excited about my new role.

[@tomulrich2999]

Ajay, that's great to hear! Congratulations!
Thanks for watching,
Tom

[@garyfry7292]

Great work Tom, thank you for sharing your insights. I think using yearly reviews for helping shape and tune Principal Engineers is way too infrequent, but right for setting up the framework. What's NEVER happened in my job is having expectations given from day 1, rather than wait until the next annual review - it would be interesting to collect contrasting data for this scenario too, or do you think that's irrelevant? Thoughts welcome! In my experience, expectations of what a Principal engineer varies from workplace to workplace too, and even from team to team within the same organisation! I can only commend you for taking the initiative by proposing to standardise these expectations. Thank you!

[@tomulrich2999]

Hi Gary, thanks for watching. You make a great point... when we have engineers leading engineers, all too often the most basic leadership principles are overlooked.
Tom

[@javierlivio5760]

Great content - very handy!

[@tomulrich2999]

Javier, I'm glad you found it helpful.
Thanks for watching,
Tom

[@davelaion]

Great video, thank you.

[@tomulrich2999]

Thank you David!

[@farshidolumi]

Very good explanation

[@tomulrich2999]

Thanks Farshid!

[@MG-cy7vx]

Excellent explanation. Thanks for the great job.

[@tomulrich2999]

Thanks for watching MG.
Tom

Great video!! :)

[@tomulrich2999]

Thanks Roberto!
And thanks for watching,
Tom

[@nishant1877]

I am a associate engineer...Hope to become a Principal engineer one day

[@tomulrich2999]

Hi Nishant, thanks for the comment. I hope my work helps you become a Principal Engineer!
Thanks for watching, and please let me know if I can help.
Tom

[@CEA9234]

I am 5 years engineer. I'd say I'm senior level. I could be level 2 or 3 in a company. I reach staff level next.

[@tomulrich2999]

That's great to hear you're progressing. I wish you the best.
Thanks for watching,
Tom