Ask HN: Senior Software Engineer to Engineering Manager

It depends on your company. Some companies are happy to move people around internally and that can be the easiest way -- asking to lead some projects and incrementally stepping into that role.

If you have no management experience, it may be hard to convince another company that you have the appropriate background.

I think it's easier to do it within your company. Trying to learn management AND a new company at the same time would be pretty tough. That's how I did it, and I think you'll find it's pretty common!

If you're transitioning inside the same company, you have the added benefit of knowing the people you'll be managing ahead of time. This isn't always necessarily a positive thing for the same-company argument. You'll definitely be more aware of the "people problems" that will now become "your problem".

If you're OK taking on those problems, go for it. If not, you're essentially rolling the dice - you may end up with a situation that's better or worse.

I agree with the majority of the other posters; internal is typically best.

In my experience, usually how this plays out is:

1. Establish yourself has a high performing SSE. You need to build this reputation both on your direct team and department, but ideally across the org broadly.

2. Make it known you wish to become a manager at some point in the future. Have conversations with your direct manager, but also consider having conversations with other managers and leaders in the organization broadly. Ask them how they made the transition and what advice they would have for you.

3. Try to take on as much manager-like responsibilities as you can. This could include: a. Mentoring and helping onboard new employees b. Informally overseeing the activities of some employees (interns or junior employees can be a great place to start) c. Figure out if your organization offers some type of future manager training. Enroll in that. d. Getting involved with interviewing. e. Offer to take on special projects outside of your day to day work.

4. At some point when you have done the majority of steps 1-3, sit down with your manager and put together a written plan. Some companies will have great competency models or career frameworks that you can leverage, but many don't. If you fall into the later camp, check out online resources for companies that have published their engineering manager competencies. Use those to inform your plan and cite them in the document.

5. Get agreement from your manager on this plan and then execute.

6. Never stop working on your management skills. Being a people manager is a huge responsibility. Its deeply personal and you have a huge impact on the day to day welfare of your employees.

Edit: some engineering manager reference career frameworks http://www.engineeringladders.com/EngineeringManager.html Square: https://assets.ctfassets.net/1wryd5vd9xez/6bDnTwb4H7bfiFvg55... Dropbox: https://dropbox.github.io/dbx-career-framework/m3_engineerin...

I'm an EM, but if I switched roles, I'd likely want to either significantly (1) downsize the initial team or (2) switch back to IC for a bit.