Is there a level I can settle down in safely?

Question

I'm currently a senior SDE-equivalent and my manager has been mentioning things about how I should consider working toward the next level. I have severe anxiety and I'm clinically diagnosed as Aspergers (management does not know this).I don't want to be a Principal/Staff or a manager. This is at a FAANG; I'm comfortable with my salary and work; it's reasonably challenging and not overly easy, and while this sounds utterly ridiculous to some people, I don't need or want to care about another 100k in stock/40k in salary.I'm scared that "stagnating" in a job tier will result in eventually being cut for not improving or being promoted. I see this happen in the new grad areas frequently, where they kind of just get kicked out if they aren't good enough to title up within a year or two.

nostrademons · Accepted Answer

At Google at least, L5 (Senior) is considered a "terminal" level, in that once you reach L5 you can generally settle into your IC duties without fear of being fired, as long as you continue to perform at that level. L3-4 you're expected to get promoted every 2-3 years or else eventually get cut. L6+ (generally management levels) is assumed to be only for those who are somewhat ambitious and want additional responsibility.These levels are probably not coincidental: L5 is when you're expected to be able to work independently and have the organizational context to make good decisions and contribute usefully with minimal manager support. Before that level you usually cost more in management overhead than you contribute in output.