What does it take to become a great Staff engineer in a post GPT world?

I have ~8years experience as an SDE and looking to switch jobs. I want to work on more challenging projects and switch to a product based company as my org lacks a role as such and I don’t want to go into the manger track so soon.

Currently, I’m getting super comfortable with my team work writing APIs and I’ve limited mobility to other team(s). I want to work on AI stuff(the real one) i.e. the one with “maths”, hence devoting time for the same. I’m also doing some Leetcode and practicing system design coz no org would hire me to work on AI with zero professional experience.

Money motivation: I’d eventually like to get to an 8-figure salary in about 2years, working in some MANGMULA company in a good team.

Do let me know what areas I should focus on and suggest some resources for the same

Recent LC submission stats: ~60 mediums ~10hard