The thing is I, along with every other person on Earth, am a good software developer. I just can't get anything other than these stupid bug fixing / feature adding roles. As I get older it'll continue to get more out of balance.
I've decided to learn how to build products. That means PCB design, case design, coding (already got that one), the patent process, etc. I'm done building things to impress employers who dont respect me at all other than my ability to write code. I'm making a run for it. You should too.