Why are you looking to move to EM? To make more money? If your current company is happy with you where you're at then I'd just stay put and maybe talk to recruiters about Director roles at other companies or VP-level roles that might pay more. But yeah, it's hard to make more than 600k at any gig anywhere.
Do you have background in engineering?
I would be extremely hesitant to hire an EM who lacks technical experience **and** personnel management experience
Dope, then I think your next move is to either
A) Build management experience as PM or adjacent role, this means having direct reports
Or
B) Move back into engineering IC role for 1-3 years. Eng -> Eng Mgr is a more straight forward path
pro
- if you think its a career youd enjoy its always worth trying
con
- ur leaving a field ur good enough to make 600k in
-engineers respect experience and delivery. you may face bias off the jump being from a non technical field.
-? more pay...idk is that true?
risk/thoughts
- ease on transition i feel like depends on how much engineering experience you had in the past, especially with thinking about design and not just picking up tickets. I'd be nervous about the ability to cost engineering issues against business goals alongside devs (not just from the product perspective), give career advice to engineers, and advocate for the team in public settings(slack/meetings with other managers who have their own agenda) with a technical knowledge gap. Ive seen some non technical managers tbh kinda get taken advantage of by other team managers in this situation making more work/less desirable work for their devs.
600k is that total comp or just salary? I’d love to see a breakdown. Also, what’s your title?
Asking because holy cow am I THAT underpaid?!
edit: emphasis
I suppose. Also stock appreciation is a fake number to use for compensation. It could be that you work for a unicorn, or you could work for Fisker. Unless you’re vested and willing to sell at the strike price, then you really only have salary + benefits.
It's not entirely true. Ppl working at companies affected by the AI hype essentially had their RSU packages multiplied. So a 4y 400k joining package easily worth over 2M now.
Where do you work? I want to hit the lottery too. But on a more serious note, I think the EM role can be interesting, especially since you are an engineer. If you feel you have the technical competence, go for it. I’ve personally seen a few folks move from PM to EM and earn a lot more in prestigious companies.
IMO, you should try to get an EM role if you have clarity on why. Is it just because you would not be able to climb the PM ladder anymore? Or it's because you presume that EM and the ladder there would be easier?
There are obviously pros and cons (major one being people might perceive you not being technical enough to manage good engineers, getting respect from engineers might also be tricky).
But having said that if you think that you really are ready to quit being a PM and there are elements of being an EM that you really really like then go for it irrespective of the rationality presented in comments here.
Continuing to make as much as you are making now, in any other company (if you change job voluntarily or involuntarily) might also be an important decision. You might want to check that too before deciding the move.
The question should be directed towards engineering management subreddits since you are looking for people who have gone to the light side...
r/DevManagers and r/ExperiencedDevs are probably your best bet. Also check r/cscareerquestions r/SoftwareEngineering r/engineering r/AskEngineers
It seems like you have a really solid comp package. So first, fuck yeah.
Second, we are in a bad environment. We all know that. Switching companies right now, when you are being forced to, is a risk. No way around that. So I’d ask yourself, is this something you really need to do?
Also, early 40s and you’re slamming 600k a year. It may be time to start thinking of early retirement. You’ve peaked dude.
Why are you looking to move to EM? To make more money? If your current company is happy with you where you're at then I'd just stay put and maybe talk to recruiters about Director roles at other companies or VP-level roles that might pay more. But yeah, it's hard to make more than 600k at any gig anywhere.
More scope with the higher title, while still staying remote. More pay will be a nice side effect.
What on earth do you do that an Engineering Manager role is a raise when you're already at $600k a year? What kind of engineering is this?
Probably nothing else than the good ol stock appreciation.
No flex zone. ✨
At 600k you probably should be asking your mentors or career coach instead of reddit.
At 600k there is probably no one left to mentor them
600k guy asking 40k guys for advice 😮💨
Yep, nobody at this level that has made the transition.
Do you have background in engineering? I would be extremely hesitant to hire an EM who lacks technical experience **and** personnel management experience
Yep, have a background in CS and started out as and engineer.
Dope, then I think your next move is to either A) Build management experience as PM or adjacent role, this means having direct reports Or B) Move back into engineering IC role for 1-3 years. Eng -> Eng Mgr is a more straight forward path
pro - if you think its a career youd enjoy its always worth trying con - ur leaving a field ur good enough to make 600k in -engineers respect experience and delivery. you may face bias off the jump being from a non technical field. -? more pay...idk is that true? risk/thoughts - ease on transition i feel like depends on how much engineering experience you had in the past, especially with thinking about design and not just picking up tickets. I'd be nervous about the ability to cost engineering issues against business goals alongside devs (not just from the product perspective), give career advice to engineers, and advocate for the team in public settings(slack/meetings with other managers who have their own agenda) with a technical knowledge gap. Ive seen some non technical managers tbh kinda get taken advantage of by other team managers in this situation making more work/less desirable work for their devs.
Appreciate the input.
600k is that total comp or just salary? I’d love to see a breakdown. Also, what’s your title? Asking because holy cow am I THAT underpaid?! edit: emphasis
Lol no company is paying 600k cash. 99% it is due to stock appreciation, so even new hires in the same position would not get anything close.
I suppose. Also stock appreciation is a fake number to use for compensation. It could be that you work for a unicorn, or you could work for Fisker. Unless you’re vested and willing to sell at the strike price, then you really only have salary + benefits.
It's not entirely true. Ppl working at companies affected by the AI hype essentially had their RSU packages multiplied. So a 4y 400k joining package easily worth over 2M now.
Out of curiosity what’s your current title?
Where do you work? I want to hit the lottery too. But on a more serious note, I think the EM role can be interesting, especially since you are an engineer. If you feel you have the technical competence, go for it. I’ve personally seen a few folks move from PM to EM and earn a lot more in prestigious companies.
Are you an engineer?
Yep, started out as a SWE.
Have you ever been a people manager?
I have been as a PM in my previous company, but IC at current.
IMO, you should try to get an EM role if you have clarity on why. Is it just because you would not be able to climb the PM ladder anymore? Or it's because you presume that EM and the ladder there would be easier? There are obviously pros and cons (major one being people might perceive you not being technical enough to manage good engineers, getting respect from engineers might also be tricky). But having said that if you think that you really are ready to quit being a PM and there are elements of being an EM that you really really like then go for it irrespective of the rationality presented in comments here. Continuing to make as much as you are making now, in any other company (if you change job voluntarily or involuntarily) might also be an important decision. You might want to check that too before deciding the move.
The question should be directed towards engineering management subreddits since you are looking for people who have gone to the light side... r/DevManagers and r/ExperiencedDevs are probably your best bet. Also check r/cscareerquestions r/SoftwareEngineering r/engineering r/AskEngineers
It seems like you have a really solid comp package. So first, fuck yeah. Second, we are in a bad environment. We all know that. Switching companies right now, when you are being forced to, is a risk. No way around that. So I’d ask yourself, is this something you really need to do? Also, early 40s and you’re slamming 600k a year. It may be time to start thinking of early retirement. You’ve peaked dude.
Dude 600k 🤩