Career Change at 40: 16 Years in Embedded Firmware, Seeking Growth Advice

Hi, currently I am working in hcltech as software engineer with 4.1L package and will be getting appraisal in few months so package will be go around 5.5 or 6 so it is right earning with experience of 2.6 year and my age is 26 should I try for career switch.

I have a total of 16 years of experience in embedded firmware development, with my current package being ?34 lakhs per year. I have been working at a product-based MNC for the past 10 years, and throughout my career, I have switched companies thrice. My current role is as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in software touch technology. I would like your advice on whether it would be beneficial for me to consider changing my company at this stage of my career. Additionally, I am seeking your recommendations on any specific programming languages or skills that could facilitate further growth in my field. Thank you for your guidance and support.

Hi, I am 28, living in Kolkata (hometown) currently working in MNC as Automation engineer for 4+ years of experience. I earn a decent salary and work life balance is great. But I have some questions which concerns me. Firstly most of my friends have switched jobs and have been earning twice as my current salary. Should I also try to switch companies every 5years like most of my friends do? Or under what conditions should I prefer to switch companies? Is it bad if I stay in a company for more than 5years? Secondly I have automation skills but in future should I master the skills what I have learned or should I switch my career to development skills cause I have no idea for how long my automation skills will survive in future of IT industry.