Should I help my company define a senior dev role or leave?
Should I Help My Company Define a Senior Dev Role or Leave?
Hello, readers!
Today, we’re diving into a question that many developers face at some point in their careers: Should I help my company define a senior developer role or consider moving on? This dilemma often arises in smaller companies or startups, where the structure is less defined, and roles can be more fluid.
The Context
Let’s set the stage. Imagine you are a full-stack developer (mostly focused on front-end) with over five years of experience, working at a small web development company with around ten developers. The company has been in operation for about seven years, and you find yourself under a hierarchy that goes from CEO to VP of Dev, to Dev Managers, and finally to Devs like you.
You’ve been proactive in speaking with your manager about what it takes to be considered a senior developer. However, the response has been vague—leadership doesn’t seem to have a clear definition of the role. This leads to a frustrating situation where you feel like you’re being asked to do the heavy lifting of defining the senior developer position yourself, leaving you questioning whether this effort will yield any real benefit.
The Dilemma
You’re faced with two pressing questions:
- What should the requirements of a senior developer role be?
- Is the company stringing you along, and should you start looking for another job?
These questions are not only about your career but also about the culture and future of the company you work for.
Perspectives on Defining a Senior Role
1. The Company’s Responsibility
One perspective is that if the company seeks to create a senior developer position, it is primarily their responsibility to define it. After all, they are the ones who will benefit from having clear expectations and responsibilities for this role. If leadership is unsure about what a senior developer should entail, it raises concerns about their understanding of the company’s needs and future direction.
A comment from the community echoed this sentiment: “If they can’t define it themselves, they clearly don’t have a clue.” This perspective suggests that if a company is unable to articulate the expectations for a senior role, it could be a red flag.
2. The Value of Growth Opportunities
On the flip side, there is a potential opportunity for you to shape the future of the company. By taking on the challenge of defining the senior developer role, you could position yourself as a key player in the organization. This could lead to promotions and greater influence within the company.
As another commenter pointed out, “The fact that you’ve been asked to help define a senior role means that management puts a lot of trust in you, which is a good sign.” If you enjoy the idea of contributing to the company’s growth and have a vision for what a senior developer should be, this could be an enriching path.
3. The Culture of a Small Team
In smaller teams, roles can be quite fluid. Often, titles may not matter as much as the ability to get things done. If the company culture emphasizes collaboration and flexibility over strict hierarchies, you might find that defining a senior role is less about a title and more about contributing to the team’s success.
One community member suggested looking at your motivations: “Are you looking for more money or just a title?” If your primary goal is to secure a salary increase, it might be worth exploring companies that are more structured in their hierarchy. If you’re more interested in being part of a dynamic team, then helping to define roles might be rewarding.
Weighing Your Options
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your career goals and the company’s willingness to accommodate them. Ask yourself:
- What are my career aspirations? Are you aiming for a specific title, or are you more interested in the responsibilities and challenges that come with it?
- How does the company value its employees? Are they willing to invest in your growth? If they are asking for your input, it could indicate that they care about your development.
- What is the company culture like? If it aligns with your values and work style, then it might be worth sticking around, even if the role definitions are still evolving.
Conclusion
The question of whether to help define a senior developer role or pursue other opportunities is not straightforward. It involves evaluating the company’s culture, your career aspirations, and the potential for growth within the organization.
Take some time to reflect on what you want from your career and whether this company can provide it. If you feel like you’re being strung along without any real commitment from leadership, it may be time to explore other options. But if you see an opportunity to influence the company’s future and grow alongside it, defining that senior role could be a rewarding challenge.
Thank you for joining this discussion! If you’ve faced a similar situation