I think too often engineers think of learning from others as learning technology related things as the only thing you can learn. And sometimes you join a more

I think too often engineers think of learning from others as learning technology related things as the only thing you can learn. And sometimes you join a more junior team that learning tech from them will be hard (there still are opportunities though IME). I was super lucky (like many others) in that I was taught as a kid that I can learn something from everyone, I just had to recognize not everyone had the same information to teach or the delivery you are used to. I personally have joined more junior teams where I had the most experience measured in decades, but those teams still were able to teach me things cause I always keep an open mind. But at first glance I would've said there was not much for me to learn. Also, while I agree you want to surround yourself with people smarter than you it doesn't mean every team you join will have that. The team may be upping their game by hiring you and expect you to do the same, that is how teams get better. So use the opportunity to mentor, teach and as the team adds more members or replaces some find people that are smarter than you, which will raise the level again. In fact the place where I am now, I had 20 years more experience than the next "senior" person when I joined. I've still learned things and I feel (and have been told) I've helped them raise their game and together we've raised all our game and knowledge, so we have all won and continue to everyday. I am approaching 4 years here.