Intel pay grade levels 7, 8, and 9 correspond to specific years of experience and roles within the company. Typically, a level 7 position is associated with a PhD and requires around 5-10 years of experience. Level 8 generally involves management responsibilities and usually requires 10-15 years of experience. Level 9 is considered executive level, often necessitating over 15 years of experience. For engineers, levels 7 and 8 represent high-ranking positions, with level 9 being less common and reserved for senior leadership roles. The discussion emphasizes that these grades are not related to career guidance but rather focus on the experience and responsibilities tied to each level.