True, this was also my experience before I moved to the US.
Generally speaking, in Europe, the technical career track
simply don't exist. You are eventually forced to take the
management career path. Eng are seen as the ones scrapping
the floors.
In US, at big tech companies, you can stay on the tech career
path and get to Principal, Architect, Distinguished Eng etc.
At these levels, your voice is heard as much, if not more, as
managers.
IC contributors and managers job titles are mapped to an internal company level.
For instance, a Principal Eng usually map to a Director. You can easily tell where you are in the career ladder, regardless on the specific track you are on.
Generally speaking, in Europe, the technical career track simply don't exist. You are eventually forced to take the management career path. Eng are seen as the ones scrapping the floors.
In US, at big tech companies, you can stay on the tech career path and get to Principal, Architect, Distinguished Eng etc. At these levels, your voice is heard as much, if not more, as managers.
IC contributors and managers job titles are mapped to an internal company level. For instance, a Principal Eng usually map to a Director. You can easily tell where you are in the career ladder, regardless on the specific track you are on.