You hit on a really key point here: > I want the clarity of being able to talk to "the boss/the customer" and solve their problems I finally identified that a

You hit on a really key point here: > I want the clarity of being able to talk to "the boss/the customer" and solve their problems I finally identified that at my last job, and have begun actively working to make that happen. For example, I transitioned internally to a "platform" team so that I know my customer—my fellow product developers at the company. This has resulted in me being MUCH happier with my day-to-day work.