Rockstar
A high performer, per job listings seeking 'rockstar developers.' The metaphor promises glamour; the role delivers tickets. Actual rock stars trash hotels; these ones just fix prod at 2 AM.
Heard in the wild
“The posting wants a rockstar engineer at a drummer's salary.”
Tone check: Cliché
Job-ad inflation. 'Rockstar/ninja/guru' in a listing correlates with vague roles and firm salaries.