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What can I do when my boss tells me to guide the “Senior Software Engineer” while I am just a “Software Engineer”?

Also, the SSE just asked me to help him/her with his/her project coz he/she forgot the skill that he/she was hired for.

I opened this up to my boss, he just told me to guide and not spoonfeed her.

So, questions:
I really find it unfair that we have different job titles, how can I tell my boss that the SSE doesn’t really have the skills to proceed with the project?

Second, do I also need to define and establish the criteria for Lead, SSE and SE within the company? (My boss scheduled a meeting for this exclusively)

Comments
  • 3
    A title is just that, a title, and there will always be situations where a junior may have to mentor a senior, such as when there is a job reclassification or change in roles or responsibilities.
  • 2
    1. Don't be that guy
    2. Read this: https://devrant.com/rants/1974978/...

    It may not be the same issue but please read that.

    Also, I was 'that guy' once upon a time, and that's not good at all. Do your job let he/her do he/her(fuck it, will be he from now on) and help him if needed. If he is not qualified to do his job you boss will know it, or he will ask you(i hope he is a good boss)

    And you helping to define the roles is not bad, isn't it? That shows your boss has confidence in your criteria or whatnot?
  • 1
    It's like @JhonDoe said. Let your boss do their job, if they're any good they'll see that your expertise is driving the team (to a degree) and who's not fit for their role.

    Things are looking good for you 👍
  • 0
    @JhonDoe you have a point, thanks bro!
  • 2
    Senior means how old they are or how long you've been around. It doesn't mean they're good.

    I probably could've been Senior the moment I graduated ~ 8 years ago just because I've been coding since 6...

    But I had to go through Junior, Intermediate, and made Senior a few years back. The work I do today, I'm pretty sure I could've done... 8 years ago. And I'm usually the guy telling people what should be done, including my bosses...
  • 3
    @billgates first sign of a junior / intermediate dev: Overconfidence.
  • 1
    That’s your chance to show them that the titles are wrong. You will not show it by whining. You will show it by doing jor job professionally, as requested by your boss. After all, if you can mentor a senior, you are a senior senior and you deserve a raise.

    Don’t belittle the senior. As he has more office power, he can retaliate easily.
  • 0
    @matste thanks for the tip bro!
  • 1
    @billgates thanks for your opinion bro!
  • 0
    @JhonDoe using they is more common than he/her now. Easier to write and becoming standard
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