You wrote that the new VP is thinking that you are not working hard enough. But, you are doing a lot of work here. Can you manager stand up for you and tell the VP that you are working very hard ? If your manager says so to the VP, then maybe the VP would approve the promotion for you ?

Do you think the company intentionally keeps your title "Junior Engineer" so that they don't have to pay you more ?

My manager did speak with him. He was actually the one that proposed I get a promotion. The issue is that it appears the VP doesn't trust my manager. At least that's what my manager told me. I have no idea what to believe because oddly enough, my manager doesn't want me to speak directly with the VP

As for your second question - I don't know. I doubt it, because the company is relatively well off. But they have been cutting staff a lot recently. So perhaps?

Was the VP statement, "I'm not working hard enough" said directly to you, or did you receive it second-hand through your manager?

Are you sure you are getting paid enough? Even higher end junior salaries don't get that close to decent mid/senior salaries. I once realised far too late that my salary was too low, after that realization I gained confidence and stuck to the calculated salary that was fair at the time, it was a 60% increase. Check with your colleagues and others in the same city to make sure you're not on a low salary.

"I am the only person in the company who knows how this system works." - people often fall into the trap of thinking this is a good thing when, in fact, it's often a barrier to career mobility.

@DanielR.Collins I received it through my manager. For some reason, the manager doesn't want me to speak with the VP

@goamn I am getting paid slightly above what a "Software Engineer" would be getting paid in my area. But I am a "Junior Software Engineer"

@JoeStrazzere This advice would apply... if I wasn't a 30 year old who was trapped in one of the most overpriced housing markets in the world...

@LaconicDroid Yep I see it. We learn something new every day

@James Is your main concern about income, about the title or about “being taken advantage of”? Maybe clarifying that will help you reach a decision.

@Relaxed All three, really. Title doesn't matter... but it kind of does. As pointed out in the one of the responses below, it would be hard to transition from "junior engineer" to say "tech lead" if I decide to change jobs. Salary always matters :) And well, who wants to get taken advantage of?

@James how would the new company know you used to hold a "Junior Software Engineer" title? You are an engineer, you have 3 years of experience, you can do X and Y (and you will need to prove some of that somehow in an interview), and that's it. Nobody's ever asked me whether I've held the "Technical Leader" title, all they ask is whether I have experience leading teams. And my LI just says "Software Engineer".

I've already polished up my CV with these points. LinkedIn is next!