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Staff-level impact and technical strategy · Expert · Lesson 91 of 98 · 47 min video, then about 5 hours of practice
What staff engineers actually do
After this you can describe the main staff archetypes, which one fits you, and how the role differs from both senior engineer and engineering manager.
Why it matters
Staff is the first level where the job description is genuinely different rather than just bigger. Will Larson's archetypes (tech lead, architect, solver, right hand) show how varied it is. What they share: the work is chosen by you rather than assigned, impact is through others, and writing matters more than coding. Trap: assuming staff means 'the best coder'. Many excellent coders find the role frustrating.
How to use this resource
A LeadDev panel on what the role really involves across companies.