>the IC path is short-lived in almost any profession (not just SWE), no? Depends on where you work. If R&D is core to the business, there will be a non-manage

>the IC path is short-lived in almost any profession (not just SWE), no? Depends on where you work. If R&D is core to the business, there will be a non-management ladder and plenty of near-retirement greybeards around the office. Note: many fashionable names in "tech" don't fit that bill.