I had a really rough spot in my career that burned me out and left me with crap references. I didn't think I could even hit "senior/T5" level again.

A friend got me a short gig and a decent reference; then I talked up the fuck outta that job to get my current staff/T6-level job.

I've been there 9 months and everyone seems to love me and my work, and I like what I'm doing and where I'm taking the org, as do other staff engineers. I'm also being interviewed for articles and podcasts and presenting at conferences.

I guess I'm just gonna keep trying to get away with this...?! Every day I get a reasonable amount of work done and don't draw too much attention to something stupid I've said or done (thank fuck for remote work), I reset the clock on anybody finding out I'm a fraud, and I just get to keep collecting a paycheck and having benefits. Score.