It really depends upon the company....talking about the big tech firms -- CISCO, MSF, Amazon, IBM, AT&T......with more than 10,000 or 100,000 employees.....
Here are the typical ranks for the people in the tech career path.....
(System, Network, Software..) Engineer (fresh college graduate)
==>Senior Engineer
==>Advisory Engineer (the same level as the first line or section manager or supervisor, with 5~8 more yr working experience...)
==>(Member of Tech) Staff (more than 10 yr working...)
==>Senior (or Principal) (Member of Tech) Staff (the same level as the senior manager)
==>Distinguished (Member of Tehc) Staff (the same level as the Director)
==>Fellow.....
