> I was getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, because the "thinkers" recognized the value that I brought to the table. They appreciated... I think thi

> I was getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, because the "thinkers" recognized the value that I brought to the table. They appreciated... I think this is the key idea there. It's good that you found a situation where you're both appreciated, and compensated for it. It's too easy for engineers to be devalued as replaceable cogs in the pipeline of things that need to happen to bring in revenue.