Focusing on software engineering IME isn't that great, there's only so many variations of frameworks/programming languages that can keep me interested.

I'm usually more interested in solving business problems, then I work on industries or companies that are doing interesting things. I've worked in the hardware industry, cloud start ups, visual effects, and now AI.

I feel very satisfied pushing those industries forward with technology, basically the technology being a means to an end.

I usually join the company as some senior dev (more recently already joined as snr mgr) and end up in leadership roles - which seems to be at odds w. what you want.