The Peterman Pod Instagram Senior Staff Eng (IC7) On 3 Promos Through Redefining Expectations (Career Story)
Dec 8, 2025
Marius Schulz, Senior Staff Engineer (IC7) at Meta, shares his journey in web engineering, from leading major projects at Instagram to being the first engineer for Threads Web. He discusses how he navigated a blocked promotion despite exceeding expectations and how he responded constructively to feedback. Marius reveals insights on the importance of ownership and adapting to high-pressure deadlines. He also reflects on career planning and gives advice to his younger self about balancing ambition with well-being.
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Great Performance Blocked By One Behavior
- Marius missed an expected promotion despite a Greatly Exceeds rating because of one behavioral expectations miss around cross-collaboration.
- He addressed the feedback, kept delivering impact, and later earned the promotion after demonstrating sustained change.
Keep Behaviors Up During Promo Delays
- Do keep exhibiting next-level behaviors even if a promotion is delayed or blocked.
- Continue doing higher-level work so your readiness remains obvious when cycles reopen.
IC4 Trusted With IC6 Project
- As an IC4 Marius led an IC6-sized front-end project with 10+ engineers and delivered it on a tight timeline during the pandemic.
- That project and operational excellence made a clear case for a redefines-expectations rating and his IC5 promotion.