Understanding Levels at Google, Microsoft and Amazon

Helps you target your preferred role and prepare well for interviews

Lately, I've been conducting numerous mock interviews across various areas—coding, system design, engineering management, and hiring manager rounds. I've noticed that many candidates have questions and confusion about the different levels at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, and how to prepare effectively for each target role.

While I've addressed these questions during the interviews, I realized this could benefit a larger audience. So, I decided to create a post to share insights and help more people navigate their preparation for these roles.

So, here we go.

1. Google:

Google uses an internal leveling system for software engineers, which is often denoted as "L" (for Level) followed by a number:

• L3 - Software Engineer: Typically for new graduates or those with 1-2 years of experience. Responsible for writing and debugging code, fixing bugs, and contributing to small projects or tasks.

• L4 - Software Engineer: Mid-level engineer, often with 2-5 years of experience. Involves more ownership over features or components, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to project planning.

• L5 - Senior Software Engineer: Typically 5-8+ years of experience. Leads small to medium-sized projects, designs systems, performs code reviews, and mentors junior and mid-level engineers.

• L6 - Staff Software Engineer: Engineers with around 8-10+ years of experience. Responsible for leading larger projects, influencing engineering best practices, and contributing to strategic planning.

• L7 - Senior Staff Software Engineer: Involves leading multiple projects, setting the technical direction for a team or department, and having significant influence over the product and engineering direction.

• L8 - Principal Engineer: A very senior role, focusing on major technical initiatives and cross-functional leadership. Often involved in organization-wide architecture and technology decisions.

• L9 and above - Distinguished Engineer/Google Fellow: Top technical leaders, often responsible for industry-wide impact, innovation, and representing Google in the broader tech community.

2. Microsoft:

Microsoft uses a "level" system that begins from level 59 or 60 for engineers. The titles are generally similar across teams:

• 59/60 - Software Engineer (SDE I): Entry-level position for new graduates or those with less than 2 years of experience. Primarily responsible for writing and debugging code, small tasks, and basic feature development.

• 61/62 - Software Engineer II (SDE II): Engineers with 2-5 years of experience. Takes on more complex coding tasks, feature development, and mentoring junior engineers.

• 63 - Senior Software Engineer (Senior SDE): Engineers with 5-8+ years of experience. Responsible for leading larger projects, architecting systems, influencing design decisions, and mentoring others.

• 64 - Principal Software Engineer: Senior engineers (often 8-12+ years of experience) who lead multiple teams, set technical direction, and drive architectural decisions across large areas.

• 65/66 - Partner/Principal Software Engineering Manager: Involves leadership across larger domains or departments, managing multiple teams, and influencing broader company strategies.

• 67/68 - Distinguished Engineer/Technical Fellow: Equivalent to executive-level engineering positions, focusing on major innovations, strategic influence, and industry impact.

3. Amazon:

Amazon has a distinct leveling system starting from L4 and going upwards:

• L4 - Software Development Engineer I (SDE I): Entry-level software engineer role for recent graduates or those with minimal experience (0-2 years). Focused on learning Amazon's development environment and contributing to smaller projects.

• L5 - Software Development Engineer II (SDE II): Engineers with 2-5 years of experience. Takes on more substantial development tasks, helps in designing components, and mentors SDE I.

• L6 - Senior Software Development Engineer (Senior SDE): Engineers with 5-8+ years of experience. Responsible for designing, building, and managing large-scale software projects, mentoring junior developers, and influencing architectural decisions.

• L7 - Principal Software Engineer/Software Development Manager: Typically 8-12+ years of experience. Focuses on high-level design, strategy, and leadership, often with direct management responsibilities.

• L8 - Senior Principal Engineer: Senior-level position for technical experts leading multiple teams or large initiatives, often with a significant influence over Amazon’s technical strategy and direction.

• L10 and above - Distinguished Engineer/Vice President: Highest engineering levels, focusing on company-wide technical leadership, innovation, and direction. Involves strategic decision-making and influencing the broader tech community.

Key Differences:

• Titles and Responsibilities: The title progression differs, with Google using "Engineer" or "Staff Engineer" terms, while Microsoft uses "Software Engineer" with levels, and Amazon uses "SDE" (Software Development Engineer).

• Level Numbers: Google starts from L3, Microsoft from 59/60, and Amazon from L4.

• Career Pathways: Google has a slightly more granular breakdown, with titles like "Senior Staff Engineer" and "Principal Engineer." Amazon's roles involve a bit more managerial focus starting from L7.

• Progression: All three companies emphasize increasing levels of responsibility, from individual contribution to team and organizational leadership.

Let me know in comments if you have any questions around above explanations.

If you want me to cover any other topic, please let me know in the comments.

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Cheers!

Rajendra