From Craftsman to Director: Decoding Alibaba’s Tech Job Levels

P5/P6: Professional Craftsman

At the P5/P6 level, the role is likened to a skilled artisan such as a carpenter or blacksmith, whose core ability is to complete tasks. P5 works under guidance, while P6 can work independently. Responsibilities include delivering code for developers or executing test cases for testers, and the detailed duties are shown in the accompanying table.

P7/P8: Orchestra Conductor

The P7/P8 tier is compared to an orchestra conductor whose core skill is to lead a team. The conductor’s work is divided into three stages: score study (analyzing the overall plan), rehearsal preparation (organizing resources and personnel), and formal rehearsal (executing detailed steps and managing risks). The same three‑stage process applies to technical work: analysis, planning, and execution, as illustrated in the following diagram.

P7 focuses on leading a single team, whereas P8 often leads multiple teams. Teams can be narrow (administrative groups of 3‑10 members) or broad (project‑based or task‑based virtual teams).

P9/P10: Film Director

The highest tier, P9/P10, is likened to a film director whose core ability is to direct a finished product. Directors work on large‑scale projects, make final strategic decisions, and are ultimately responsible for the quality and impact of the output. P9 delivers mature works (roughly 7/10 quality), while P10 delivers outstanding works (8/10 or higher). Responsibilities include setting challenging business goals, integrating multiple technical and business teams (e.g., Android, iOS, front‑end, Java back‑end, testing, operations), and making key decisions about what to build, when, and how.

These analogies help readers quickly grasp the core expectations of each level, though detailed competency requirements are covered elsewhere in the full level guide.