I think it's important to add additional items to senior engineer:
Self-starting. Will advance their work independently, once they understand the requirements. (Holds themselves accountable).
Helps identify and avoid issues with the requirements they are given. Won't build something that won't work just because someone tells them to.
One other addition I think is that a lead engineer doesn't have to be everything that a senior engineer is. I have less talented engineers managing more senior people who just want to do technical work. Obviously lead engineers can't be totally green but you box yourself in as a manager if the most talented people technically are the only ones who can manage a team of engineers.
I agree that a lead developer doesn't necessarily need to be the best technically. But, usually, lead developers are expected to take on some pretty important fundamental architectural design up-front.
That implies a certain level of skill and experience.
It also helps if they are technically competent in order to build trust as a leader. No one wants to follow someone whose job is to direct the team in technical matters but himself isn't competent.
But that just qualifies your point a bit more.
Sometimes you have devs who are really skilled technically but wouldn't make good leaders. But I don't think the opposite would be true - specifically for a lead developer - since trust and respect need to be present. Part of that, again, is to be lead by someone who can actually make the right choices on technical matters and be a good mentor in technical matters.
Thanks for the extra points Steve!
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I think it's important to add additional items to senior engineer:
One other addition I think is that a lead engineer doesn't have to be everything that a senior engineer is. I have less talented engineers managing more senior people who just want to do technical work. Obviously lead engineers can't be totally green but you box yourself in as a manager if the most talented people technically are the only ones who can manage a team of engineers.
Def. agree.
I agree that a lead developer doesn't necessarily need to be the best technically. But, usually, lead developers are expected to take on some pretty important fundamental architectural design up-front.
That implies a certain level of skill and experience.
It also helps if they are technically competent in order to build trust as a leader. No one wants to follow someone whose job is to direct the team in technical matters but himself isn't competent.
But that just qualifies your point a bit more.
Sometimes you have devs who are really skilled technically but wouldn't make good leaders. But I don't think the opposite would be true - specifically for a lead developer - since trust and respect need to be present. Part of that, again, is to be lead by someone who can actually make the right choices on technical matters and be a good mentor in technical matters.
Thanks for the extra points Steve!