Ask HN: Are senior engineers not senior anymore?
7 aristofun 10 6/13/2025, 7:30:37 PM
Do you feel like SWE title has been devalued a lot lately?
Does it look to you that many of today's senior SWE would barely pass middle bar 10 years ago?
With erosion of junior (and effectively middle) titles these days everyone is senior now.
Yet the dispersion in skills, experience is outrageous. Even within the same organization.
Why do you think this is?
There are some staff SWEs in company A who wouldn't pass probation period in more selective company B. And you have junior engineers who are much more knowledgeable and productive than seniors.
I don't know why anyone would care about these titles. If they want to compare themselves to their peers to boost their ego, salary is a better metrics.
I appreciate your comment, but it doesn't really address my question.
Consider this:
If someone responded with a simple "Yes", would that satisfy you?
What if someone responded with a simple "No"? Would that satisfy you?
Don't expect them to be forthcoming with details if you haven't provided any?
People will engage more if you are putting in the effort. Right now you have at least two comments hinting that you need to define what you are talking about. Yet you have not done that.
I have my own definition which might differ from yours