At least at Microsoft, and I assume other primarily tech companies, there are level bands (job titles) above "senior developer" (principal, partner, technical f

At least at Microsoft, and I assume other primarily tech companies, there are level bands (job titles) above "senior developer" (principal, partner, technical fellow, distinguished engineer) that have nothing to do with management. Generally one can have a full career striving for technical fellow/distinguished engineer without stagnating (though not necessarily achieving it, tis a lofty accomplishment).