What does 'MTS' stand for?

It stands for 'Member of Technical Staff', which means a technical staff member. It is used to describe engineers without dividing them into researcher or engineer categories.

How is MTS different from 'software engineer'?

Unlike 'software engineer', MTS does not specify a level or job division. Inside some top-tier AI firms, employees are just called 'MTS' in their public profiles, hiding their specific role.

Where did the MTS title come from?

At least by the late 1920s, AT&T labs used it to unite engineers from different fields like physics, math, and chemistry. Claude Shannon was an MTS.

Large Language ModelsAI Business & IndustryITmedia AI＋Sep 3, 2026Sep 4, 2026, 06:01 JST

Why AI firms dropped 'software engineer' for 'MTS'

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3 Key Points

What happened
AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI now use the title 'Member of Technical Staff' (MTS) instead of 'software engineer'. Peter Bailis, former CTO of Workday, joined Anthropic in March 2026 under this title.
Why it matters
Titles like 'MTS' blur the line between research and engineering. Inside firms, this reflects the need to combine skills and avoid hierarchy confusion amid AI's rise.
What to watch
Whether MTS spreads beyond leading AI firms in Japan remains unclear. Even without the title, the focus is shifting to those who can build and ship outcomes, not just hold a title.

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Context & Analysis

The shift away from 'software engineer' toward 'Member of Technical Staff' is not entirely new. At AT&T, the title helped unify diverse technical experts, and similar logic now appears at frontier AI labs. Companies like Anthropic blur the boundary by letting staff focus on problem-solving without prescribed divisions. This trend is becoming more relevant as AI tools expand what one person can achieve.

Writers note the move values tangible results over hierarchy. However, losing titles may disadvantage those outside elite firms. External recognition becomes vague, forcing engineers to prove value by building and shipping outcomes rather than relying on formal levels.

FAQ

What does 'MTS' stand for?: It stands for 'Member of Technical Staff', which means a technical staff member. It is used to describe engineers without dividing them into researcher or engineer categories.
How is MTS different from 'software engineer'?: Unlike 'software engineer', MTS does not specify a level or job division. Inside some top-tier AI firms, employees are just called 'MTS' in their public profiles, hiding their specific role.
Where did the MTS title come from?: At least by the late 1920s, AT&T labs used it to unite engineers from different fields like physics, math, and chemistry. Claude Shannon was an MTS.

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