I've seen a Director of Engineer (at a company big enough to have 5 for different business areas) switch back to the IC track after 5 years, with a sabbatical

I've seen a Director of Engineer (at a company big enough to have 5 for different business areas) switch back to the IC track after 5 years, with a sabbatical in between. Granted this is in UK which scanning comments seems to be more flexible…