Jan 01, 2026 
15 mins to read Midnight Reflections on Professional Growth
To be honest, while debugging an issue with Actions Runtime last night, I suddenly realized how similar this is to the daily work of a Staff Engineering Manager. Just as we need to find performance bottlenecks in complex execution environments, technical managers need to identify the "variables" that hinder efficiency within team structures.
To be frank, technical management positions in the Web3 field differ subtly yet importantly from traditional ones. Like the difference between EVM and WASM, they appear similar on the surface but have fundamentally different underlying principles. Today, let's explore the real work states and technical requirements of these high-level positions.
Staff Engineering Manager: Core Challenges in Actions Runtime
Man, this position is no walk in the park. Imagine needing to master:
- Principles of distributed system design
- Optimization of smart contract execution environments
- Cross-team collaboration processes
Suddenly thinking, this is like writing an unending blockchain node—you need to ensure continuous system operation while handling various unexpected situations. The uniqueness of Actions Runtime lies in its need for not only traditional CI/CD experience but also a deep understanding of blockchain-specific execution environment limitations.
Packages Position: Hidden Skill Tree
Wait, many underestimate the complexity of Packages management. From a developer's perspective, this is essentially managing the "dependency hell." You need to:
- Mastery of multi-language package management systems (npm, cargo, pip, etc.)
- A deep understanding of the art of version compatibility
- Establish automated security audit processes
To be honest, a good Packages manager is like a notary public in the blockchain world—they ensure every dependency is trustworthy and efficient.
Staff Software Engineer: The Struggle Against Technical Debt
At 3 AM, while reviewing a ZK-SNARK implementation, I thought: Staff Software Engineer is like a knight constantly battling technical debt. Their daily tasks include:
- Critical architectural decisions
- Maintaining code quality standards
- Long-term technical direction planning
From a code perspective, this role requires versatile individuals who can both view systems from 10,000 feet high and dive deep into specific functions to optimize gas consumption.
System Software Engineer: The Underlying Philosophy
To be honest, today's System Software Engineer is far beyond just writing drivers. Especially in the Web3 field, they need:
- Mastery of system-level languages like Rust or C++
- Understanding of how modern hardware architecture impacts blockchain performance
- Finding the optimal balance between security and performance
Suddenly thinking, this is like a chef who must consider the original flavor of ingredients while ensuring the final dish's presentation.
Compensation and Inclusion: Key Supporting Roles
Wait, did we overlook two extremely important supporting positions? Senior Compensation Analyst and Senior Accessibility Program Manager may not write code, but they are crucial for team health.
Senior Compensation Analyst needs to:
- Deeply understand global Web3 talent market dynamics
- Balance between token-based and traditional compensation
- Predict value fluctuations caused by technology stack changes
Meanwhile, Senior Accessibility Program Manager must:
- Ensure product accessibility for all users
- Establish inclusive development processes
- Educate teams on the importance of accessible design
Find Your Next Challenge on MyJob.one
To be honest, seeing all these complex job requirements might be overwhelming. But don't worry—this is exactly what MyJob.one exists for. We help exceptional talent find platforms that match their skills.
Whether you want to transition from developer to Staff Engineering Manager or specialize as a System Software Engineer, we have suitable positions waiting for you.
Final Tech Thoughts
Man, I didn't realize it was already dawn. Suddenly an idea struck: career development in tech is like playing a roguelike game—each choice leads to different skill tree branches. The key is finding the path that suits you best.
Remember, in the Web3 world, change is the only constant truth. Keep learning, stay curious, and your next career leap might be around the corner.
