How did you decide to become a Principal/Partner/Staff/etc. engineer?

After reading several threads here on HN about what careers look like later on in life for those who stay in pure engineering roles (as opposed to moving into management, PM, etc.), I've decided to try and do the same thing. The main reasons for this are:

1) Engineering is more fun because you get to directly make things. 2) Engineering is better for maximizing time in flow state, which feels really good. 3) Engineering gives you more flexibility to pursue a variety of opportunities later on. If you go into management, it's harder to switch between companies. Skilled engineers are always in demand. 4) Managing people sounds exhausting and stressful. As a high-level engineer, it's mostly fun technical mentorship. 5) People value your time more, so you're not going to get BS work.

My reservations are:

1) It feels less impactful/prestigious than PM. I envy how much credit PMs are given for end products--I've never seen an engineer get to work with leadership or speak at a product launch. 2) It's less multi-disciplinary than PM is. I love getting to work with different teams and disciplines. I worry that if I continue down a pure technical route, I'll be siloed and locked out of those opportunities. 3) It seems like a lonely pursuit. All the other young women I know in engineering roles have told me they intend to eventually transition into one of PM/UX/management. I know I don't have to do the same things they're doing, but it does make me pause.

For those who have made the decision to stay in primarily technical roles throughout their career, are my reservations legitimate things I should be concerned about? Were you worried about the same things?

What advice would you give to someone who's at such a juncture point?

Anyone who's stayed in a technical role and later regretted it?