If you are an engineer or other individual contributor in the tech industry, at some point in your career, you might have already asked yourself whether to continue in a purely technical role or make the transition to a management position. While both paths have their own set of benefits and challenges, transitioning to management can open up new opportunities for growth and impact within an organisation.

One of the most significant benefits of engineering management is the ability to have a broader impact on the organisation as a whole. As an engineering manager, you have the opportunity to shape the direction of projects and initiatives, as well as contribute to high-level decision-making. This can be especially fulfilling for those who are motivated by the opportunity to create positive change and make a lasting impact.

Another benefit of transitioning to engineering management is the opportunity to develop a unique skill set that combines technical expertise with leadership and communication skills. As an engineering manager, you'll be responsible for leading and mentoring a team of engineers, which requires a deep understanding of both the technical aspects of a project as well as effective communication and team management.

Here are a few reasons why an individual contributor should consider an engineering management role:

●     Opportunity to make a larger impact: As an engineering manager, you have the opportunity to lead and influence a team of engineers, which can allow you to make a larger impact on the organisation. Besides being able to shape the course of projects and initiatives, you can also provide important insights to strategic decision-making.

●     Development of leadership skills: Working in an engineering management position requires a distinctive combination of technical knowledge, leadership abilities, and communication skills. Assuming such a role can assist in enhancing these competencies, resulting in personal and professional growth.

●     Career growth: Moving into a management role can provide new opportunities for career growth and advancement. Many organisations offer clear career paths for engineers who transition into management, which can lead to increased responsibilities, promotions, and higher pay.

●     Better alignment with personal goals: A management role may align better with your personal goals and aspirations. If you're motivated by the opportunity to lead and create positive change, or if you're interested in pursuing a career in business or executive leadership, then an engineering management role may be a great fit.

●     Increased job security: Management roles often come with increased job security, as organisations tend to place a higher value on leadership positions. Additionally, having management experience on your resume can make you a more attractive candidate for future job opportunities.

Of course, the transition to engineering management also comes with its own set of challenges. For example, the role can be more people-focused than technical, which may require a different mindset and important people skills. Additionally, engineering managers often have to balance the needs of their team with the larger goals of the organisation, which can require a high degree of tact and diplomacy.

But obstacles will not stop there. Engineering managers no longer have to personally write the most code or resolve the most complicated bugs. Rather, your responsibility is to guarantee that your team has the capability to accomplish these tasks effectively but that can become a hard task, especially for those who enjoy tackling complex technical problems instead of attending countless meetings throughout the day.

If you aspire to be a manager, keep in mind that you may need to give up certain aspects of your field that you may currently enjoy the most. Here is a small list of what you may consider when making the transition:

●     Less time for focused work: Although managers are supposed to allocate some time for focused work, the more your team expands, the more challenging it becomes. Not only do team members have more queries for you, but also external stakeholders. As an engineering manager, you must act as the first line of defence to prevent minor inquiries from interrupting the team's progress.

●     Longer feedback loops: Technical professionals are used to getting instant feedback from their activities, but when it comes to management, any suggestions provided to your team may take weeks to yield positive or negative results. The feedback process for management is significantly longer compared to that of an individual contributor and you must keep that in mind.

●     Delivering the bad news: As a leader, you must be prepared to often have difficult conversations with your team, implement Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) with under performers, and ultimately inform them that they will no longer be part of the organisation. Engaging in challenging dialogues is a significant aspect of functioning as a manager and that requires considerable people skills as there is no magic formula to deal with your staff.

●     Passing the baton: You might even be promoted because of your code expertise, but as a manager, you cannot consider the code as “your precious”. That will definitely hinder any other team member from assuming ownership of it. As a result, this can cause a significant decline in morale and lead to frustration among your team. No one wants that!

●     Lack of time to learn: That might sound frustrating at the beginning, but keeping up with the most current technology will not be easy with so many other leadership responsibilities. The key is to focus on wider technological developments within your industry and grasp the advantages and disadvantages of various solutions. While you should be able to assist with the codebase every once in a while, it may not be possible to become actively involved with every new framework and tool your team desires to explore.

With these pros and cons in mind, it's important to take the time to reflect on your motivations and goals. If you're driven by the opportunity to lead and create impact, and are willing to invest in developing your leadership skills, then engineering management could be a great fit for you. However, if you're primarily motivated by technical challenges and prefer a more hands-on role, then you may be better suited to continue as an individual contributor in a purely technical role.

Finally, the decision to transition to engineering management is a highly personal one, and should not be based only on financial benefits. Especially if you are not comfortable or do not feel ready to take on a leadership role. On the other hand, for those who are open to the challenge, the rewards can be substantial, both in terms of personal growth and professional impact. In other words, it’s up to you to decide if it is worth it or not. Interested? Check some tech job opportunities.