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The Product Engineer

essays.davidchouinard.com

81–85 of 85 posts

Re: The Product Engineer

#81
post #58

The core point of the essay, that product design is a different skill to software development, is obviously true, but to me this feels a bit like the title "Software Architect" was 10 years ago; i.e. people who want to design software products without the pesky whole writing software part. Like being a dev manager, defining the vision, design, etc requires a different set of skills from development. However, a person…

The clearest way to see the difference is how natural the product engineering phenomena is — it's been happening and we just need a name.

Re: The Product Engineer

#82
post #19
post #2

This really hit home for me. I was recently looking for a job so these ideas are fresh on my mind. What I have been trying to figure out, is it better to work for a company that has a good product strategy, or an other wise good company without a product strategy? At the time, my thoughts were to find a company that needs a product minded developer. A company that has everything else figured out but product.

A company that hasn't prioritized product strategy isn't going to suddenly start prioritizing it once you get there. You are more likely to be ignored. Go somewhere that does product well, especially if you're early in your career.

There definitely exists organizations lead by smart non-product people who recognize their shortcoming and are enthralled to support it.

Re: The Product Engineer

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're begging the question. What does "engineering the product" mean? Software engineers are not civil engineers, there are not professional standards for what this means.

Fair point, there's no formal or widely accepted definition for Product Engineer. In Roman languages, the word "engineer" derives from the word for "wit" (e.g. "Ingeniero" Now you'll tell me that I'm talking about a Product Manager and I'll have to agree. In my opinion, a Product Engineer is a different name for a Product Manager. Product Management is a really broad area and I think some people more inclined to tech…

So here's my problem with this. There is no bricklaying in software. If something is really repetitive and mind-numbing it should be automated. That is the difference between software engineering and engineering/construction—the computer does all the rote work.

I get that there are amazing semi-technical managers and UX people who add outsize value even though they don't code—I don't subscribe to the SV worship of "hard skills". However, SV is also full of jackass wantrepreneurs who think they don't need to learn how to code because their singular vision is so valuable. These "idea guys" are the antithesis of what it takes to build a successful startup, and I worry that defining Product Engineer this way just gives them another place to hang their hat and further their own preciousness.

"Engineer" should be reserved for someone who codes or at least administers technical systems hands on. I'm well aware that traditional engineering disciplines look down their nose at programmers for declaring themselves engineers with such informal practices, but nevertheless software engineering is a thing with its own challenges (in many ways more difficult than physical engineering due to the breadth of scale and lack of constraints). Why do we need to water it down when we already have terms like Product Manager or UX Designer?

Re: The Product Engineer

#84
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. Just wow. This hiring process is so refreshing it actually makes me want to work for you, and I'm only half kidding. Are you hiring? ;)

Unfortunately not in the near-term but nice of you to say anyway :).

Well, nice of you to give me hope that some people appreciate and even seek what I think I'm good at. :) I am quite happy where I am now anyway. Wish you luck!
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