In the tech industry, many people believe that being an engineer is a demanding job. When young, engineers often spend a lot of time and energy dealing with daily work challenges and continuously learning new skills. In China, it's common for electronics engineers to work overtime regularly. As they age, their ability to handle high-intensity work tends to decrease. Therefore, if an engineer hasn't reached a leadership position by the age of 35, but remains stuck in a specific role, they may feel increasing pressure from younger, more energetic colleagues.
Another key reason is the fast-paced growth of the electronics industry, which offers numerous opportunities. Many young engineers dream of starting their own businesses and becoming their own bosses. They often think that routine tasks, even within multinational companies, can limit their potential. As a result, some choose to move into sales or marketing, aiming to gain broader business experience before turning 35.
From a personal perspective, I've been thinking about this issue for a long time. People often ask me if I plan to stay in this industry for the long term, and I haven't had a clear answer until recently. There are plenty of projects to handle, and while I try to work overtime and take on extra tasks, I sometimes wonder how to manage them more efficiently. After all, human energy is limited, and mistakes are inevitable. Plus, project cycles are short—usually around a week or two. If you don’t deliver quickly, the business opportunity might pass you by. Exhaustion takes a toll, and your performance isn't as sharp as before.
As we get older, our hands-on speed slows down, and staying up late becomes harder. However, we gain more experience, have better problem-solving abilities, and are more likely to succeed in complex tasks. We also have more room to explore other areas beyond pure development.
I find it confusing why some engineers still work on MCU software at 35. Isn't it possible to transition to more advanced fields like ARM, DSP, or FPGA? For example, working on DSP software under an RTOS environment requires significantly different skills than those used in MCU programming. If someone wants to learn and complete a DSP project, it could take half a year or more. It’s not easy to meet tight deadlines, even for experienced developers.
Learning never stops, and the need to adapt is constant. If you've spent over a decade copying and pasting code without seeking growth, maybe it's time to reconsider your path. The software industry is always evolving, pushing new trends and challenges. If you're bored with it, it's a sign that you might be out of sync with the industry's pace.
Ultimately, there's nothing wrong with aging in the field, but it's important to keep moving forward. Some people become lazy as they get older, but they rarely admit it. Others use excuses instead of facing the reality.
Many engineers over 35 don't continue doing hands-on development. Here are a few reasons: after a few years, the work becomes repetitive, leading to the label of "senior blue-collar." With experience, many shift towards system architecture or project management, leaving coding to younger team members. Additionally, salary growth tends to slow down, making it less attractive to stay in a developer role. Companies often prefer to hire younger talent for such positions.
However, this trend is changing. More professionals over 35 are now finding ways to stay relevant, either by transitioning into leadership roles or specializing in niche areas.
I'm currently 29 and have worked for over three years. I graduated with a master’s degree and was promoted to lead an R&D team after just a year and a half. Recently, I became the head of the front-end team, managing a small group of developers. Now, I don't do much hands-on coding anymore. Instead, I focus on reviewing requirements, checking quality, and assigning tasks to junior members.
I spend my days keeping up with industry news, researching new technologies, and occasionally solving problems by writing demos for others. It feels like a relaxed lifestyle. I’ve even interviewed with other companies, and offers came through. But my current employer is trying to retain me, offering stock options and a raise.
I don’t feel pressured to change jobs, and I’m still quite comfortable. I wasn’t forced into a non-development role—I chose it because I enjoy leading and mentoring. If you're still in IT, there are two main career paths: management or technology. Technically, you can become an architect; in management, you can reach the level of R&D director.
The average age in internet companies is usually between 24 and 28. This is due to the high mental demands of the job, which can be hard for older employees to sustain, especially with family responsibilities. But companies still value experienced professionals like me because of the knowledge we bring from years of hard work and long hours.
Being over 35 doesn’t mean you’re obsolete. It means you have valuable experience and can contribute in different ways. While some people may look down on older engineers, others recognize their worth. It's all about staying adaptable and continuing to grow.
What do you think? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.
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