# Job titles fade as tech staff emerges

> AI companies drop specific titles for 'member of technical staff' to signal focus on work over rank.
- Title: Job titles fade as tech staff emerges · Seattletimes
- Summary: AI companies drop specific titles for 'member of technical staff' to signal focus on work over rank. AI firms use 'member of technical staff' to avoid rank…
- Keywords: ai companies, member of technical staff, job titles, openai, anthropic, xai, linkedin, news, local, Job, titles, fade
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/explore/careers/job-titles-are-out-now-were-all-members-of-the-technical-staff
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai companies, member of technical staff, job titles, openai, anthropic, xai, linkedin, news, local
## AI firms replace job titles
Employees at leading AI companies trade specific titles like chief technical officer for a vague 'member of technical staff' role.
## LinkedIn data shows trend
39% of Anthropic employees, 31% of OpenAI and 26% of xAI listed 'member of technical staff' on LinkedIn as of last December.
## Title boosts technical focus
The title keeps competitors in the dark and gives technical employees insider status while implying a focus on work rather than rank.
## Industry leaders support shift
Former OpenAI executive Bob McGrew said the title created a 'much more level playing field' for technical work.
## Historical roots in tech
Bell Labs used the term in its early decades, and some IBM and Texas Instruments employees held the title in the 1960s.
## AI job disruption
The title rise coincides with ai technology remaking software engineering jobs and replacing engineer skills with tools.
## Industry adoption accelerates
Google DeepMind employees officially gave up 'product manager' titles to become 'members of technical staff'.
## Key takeaway

AI firms use 'member of technical staff' to avoid rank distinctions and emphasize technical work over money.