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Home > Getting the Interview and Job > Beyond the Interview > Understanding Software Engineer Levels and Titles (L3–L7, IC vs EM)

Switching Tracks

The pendulum move (IC ↔ EM) is common.

  • Try before you buy: take on TL responsibilities as an IC or adopt a project EM hat temporarily.
  • Keep your narrative coherent: “I optimize for leverage. Right now, that’s IC/EM because…”
  • If switching back to IC, bring people systems with you: delegation, feedback, prioritization—these are senior IC superpowers.

Request a level calibration when switching. Don’t assume a one-to-one mapping.

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