---
title: "The Real Role of Staff/Principal Developers | ELC Meetup #18"
description: "Join us for the 18 ELC Meetup at Ataccama ❤️ Let's cut through the noise and get real about what it means to be a Staff or Principal Developer. This sessio"
url: "https://www.engineeringleaders.io/event/the-real-role-of-staff-principal-developers-18/"
lang: "en"
image: "https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/hero-bg.CqYte35i_pCyQ5.jpg"
---

#18 Meetup  |  September 12, 2024

# The Real Role of Staff/Principal Developers

![Four panelists on stage at an ELC meetup, one speaking into a microphone, with a slide reading 'What is the true work of Staff Engineers' projected behind them](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/18.BZ7AYcCz_Z2siXMN.webp)

“The Real Role of Staff/Principal Developers” is ELC Meetup #18, held at Ataccama Software in [Prague](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/prague/) on 12 September 2024.

The [Engineering Leaders Community](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/) meets every month. [Join ELC](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/join/) to get the next invite, or [pitch a talk](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/cfp/) for a future night.

Join us for the #18 ELC Meetup at Ataccama ❤️

Let’s cut through the noise and get real about what it means to be a Staff or Principal Developer. This session is for those who want to break away from the stereotypes and truly understand the balance between leadership, communication, and technical expertise in these roles.

Key Takeaways:

The Real Deal: What Staff/Principal Developers do, versus the myths.

Time Management: How to focus on what really matters and avoid getting bogged down.

Impact Over Code: When to code, when to lead, and why growing others is crucial.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Common mistakes, like poor communication, and how to dodge them.

The Growth Path: Why so many aspire to these roles, but few make the cut.

Who Should Attend:

Staff/Principal Developers and those on the path

Engineering leaders and managers

Anyone interested in the future of technical leadership

Final info:

Walk away with a clear view of what it takes to succeed in these roles, connect with the community, and gain insights that will help you level up. Don’t miss it.

See you there! 👩‍💻

Watch Recording

[View the slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JDEiIO33Td7Xdrz04LX65ZhTHm1ME3O9R_ffaQcfgQg/view)

## This one is over. Here is the next one.

![The Standard Tech/Engineering Manager Role Is Dead. How You Survive 2027](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/meetup-43.D63ebx5e_NNmal.webp)

14Oct

At![Apify](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/apify.B80EKIYN_H8ONg.webp)

#43Meetup · Prague

### [The Standard Tech/Engineering Manager Role Is Dead. How You Survive 2027](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/event/the-standard-tech-engineering-manager-role-is-dead-how-you-survive-2027-43)

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 · 18:00–21:00

Apify, Prague

-   [![](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/yurii-bliuchak.DLDaH2Yo_4yCSy.webp)Yurii![Apify](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/apify.B80EKIYN_ZPut9j.webp)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iuriibliuchak)
-   [![](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/jan-vrtiska.CtAFRp65_bedhV.webp)Jan![Everpure](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/everpure.pziGBTw__Z2iEQhO.webp)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-vrtiska)
-   [![](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/robert-jacko.DY_1nvdm_Z2hIGfe.webp)Robert![Applifting](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/_astro/applifting.DR_LF79U_Z1Mc5e7.webp)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robo-jacko)

Organizations are flattening.

[Get your seat](https://luma.com/tech-engineering-manager-role-is-dead)

No date on the calendar right now

New dates go up on Luma. Follow the calendar and the next one lands in yours.

[Follow the calendar](https://lu.ma/elc)[See all events](https://www.engineeringleaders.io/events)

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