# Senior Engineer ≠ Years of Experience

DevFeed: [Senior Engineer ≠ Years of Experience](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/senior-engineer-years-of-experience-26190.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://journal.optivem.com/p/senior-engineer-years-of-experience>)

Author: Valentina Jemuović

Published: 2026-08-24T06:01:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Optivem Journal](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/optivem-journal.md>)

Topics: [Software Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software-engineering.md>), [Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/development.md>), [engineering-culture](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/engineering-culture.md>)

Tags: [effective](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/effective.md>), [engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering.md>), [experience](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/experience.md>), [learning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/learning.md>), [mistakes](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mistakes.md>), [software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software.md>)

## AI overview

This opinion argues that years of software engineering experience do not reliably measure engineering ability. Repeated habits, including poor design, avoiding tests, and overengineering, can become more entrenched over time, while continuous learning, experimentation, feedback, and willingness to change are presented as stronger indicators of effectiveness.

## Source excerpt

"I've been doing this for 15 years, so I already know."