This article argues that hiring early-career engineers (also known as L1s) can be a more productive addition to a team than experienced engineers, as they bring fresh perspectives and keep teams honest by pointing out unnecessary complexity. Early-career engineers also provide mentoring opportunities for other engineers and have the potential to grow into higher-level roles with institutional knowledge. By hiring from within and promoting from these early-career positions, companies can create fertile ground for someone to thrive in and ultimately lead to team success. The article advocates for creating more entry-level engineering positions to bring new talent into the industry and break down barriers to entry.