Software Engineer III is a transition role for engineers who consistently excel at the Software Engineer II expectations and are beginning to demonstrate Staff Engineer–level behaviors in select areas, such as design ownership, execution leadership, or technical judgment.

SE3 engineers continue to be evaluated primarily against Staff Engineer KRAs, with the understanding that they may not yet meet all Staff-level expectations across every track. This role recognizes strong growth momentum while providing focused support and opportunities to close remaining gaps.

The expectation is that engineers in the SE3 role will progress to Staff Engineer within 12 months, supported by targeted mentorship, stretch assignments, and regular feedback.