What're possible career trajectories if you don't want to manage?

It’s fine to be an engineering individual contributor your entire career. Tech is one of the places where it’s possible to find well paid IC positions on a parallel track with management positions.

> A recurring theme I see on HN when people talk about Principal Engineers and other such positions, is that they're less about actual engineering and more about telling other people what to do.

This isn’t the common definition of Principal Engineer in the industry. There are some exceptions, but most companies expect Principal Engineers and similar titles to code. They will also have responsibilities to set tone and direction, mentor, and other leadership roles.

However, if someone is only managing people and not engineering, they are literally a manager. It doesn’t make sense to give them an Engineer title.

Work for a smaller company or be a guru for a larger one. Either way, ya gotta be very good at what you do.