Comment by grue_some

I have had very similar work out in my favor early on. New engineer, some hacky idea that saves the day doing something that was "impossible" and got a bigger raise and promotion than I have gotten in any way other than saying I was leaving a job since. It was nice recognition. I have had some repeat of this recently, but not quite the same bump. It comes to be that fixing some urgent problem is way more $$ rewarding than running a team and making sure your team doesn't run into that stuff and just delivers on time. It is odd, but in a way it makes sense. You get more recognition for putting out a fire than preventing one. Everyone is watching while something is burning and recognition from someone above your direct manager is the way to get a better than nominal raise.