What are the job grades at Intel?

Intel uses a job grading system to categorize positions based on experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Here’s a general breakdown of Intel’s job grades, from entry-level to senior positions:

1. Grade 3 to Grade 5 (Entry-level roles)

• These grades are typically for fresh graduates or individuals with 0–2 years of experience.
• Grade 3: Often includes support or administrative roles.
• Grade 5: Entry-level engineers (software, hardware) or business analysts fall in this category.

2. Grade 6 to Grade 7 (Mid-level roles)

• These grades apply to professionals with 2–5 years of experience.
• Grade 6: Junior engineers or analysts with some experience.
• Grade 7: Engineers or technical professionals who are more independent and may start leading small projects.

3. Grade 8 to Grade 9 (Senior-level roles)

• Professionals with 5+ years of experience, often working on more complex tasks or leading small teams.
• Grade 8: Senior engineers or specialists. May lead technical projects and mentor junior staff.
• Grade 9: Lead engineers or senior technical contributors who take on large responsibilities.

4. Grade 10 and above (Leadership and expert roles)

• These grades are for highly experienced professionals, typically with 10+ years of experience.
• Grade 10: Principal engineers, team leads, or managers. They oversee major projects and lead technical or business teams.
• Grade 11-12: Senior leadership roles, such as directors, overseeing multiple teams or departments.

5. Executive roles

• VPs, Directors, and above: These roles are typically not associated with numbered grades but are considered top leadership positions overseeing entire business units or departments.

As you progress through the grades at Intel, your responsibilities, compensation, and impact on the company increase significantly. Each grade level has its own expectations for technical expertise, leadership, and project management. If you're aiming for higher-level roles, it’s important to build both your technical and leadership skills.