I am an engineering manager, but a new assignment requires me to wear the IC hat. I do code pretty much every day. Nowadays I spend about 20% of my time writing code. I have begun to enjoy the high-level aspects more as I have spent quite some time in this role.<p>I wanted to understand from other engineering managers on this. So here are a few questions:<p>Have you ever worked as an IC being an engineering manager, especially after spending a few years in the managerial role? If yes, how hard was it to transition?<p>Did you enjoy going back to writing code on daily basis?<p>Or did you feel IC is not your forte anymore?<p>Did it concern you about the growth?
I'll add here, even if it's not really what you're looking for. I'm a director, not at faang, fwiw.<p>My first 2 years of managing was hands on, probably 50% coding. I had a small scope and the energy to do people things while also doing coding things. What I found was that this doesn't scale and that if I ever wanted to lead larger initiatives and have a bigger impact, I'd need to give up coding. During this period, I burnt out trying to grow both technically and managerially. The context switching required of me was too much.<p>When I got to a position where I could do people management 100% of the time, it was transformative. In the same way we think about coding - what skills do I need to develop, how can I optimize XYZ, is there a better pattern for this, etc - I now started to think about management. Part of this is that I joined an org that truly valued management and was able to be mentored and allowed to develop my skills.<p>Now as a director, I insist that my new managers don't code. There is a period of time where you need to focus on management and nothing else. Later on, I don't care if you want to get into the code, but at that point, no one chooses to.<p>It does seem like the industry is split on where a manager title exists and if you're hands on. Regardless of which way you go, you'll find career growth imo. I would consider if you feel like you're being the best manager you can be though.
I have seen a number of managers go back to being an IC at an equivalent title.<p>I think it's pretty common. And not particularly penalized.<p>I was a manager for 5 years and am now building my own company. I do way more coding than as a manager but I also do everything else.<p>If I were to go back to full time employment I think it would be easy to go back as an IC or as a manager depending on what I wanted and how I spin my time.<p>Basically, you always have a story and always have control of how you tell it. So as long as you're average or above average as an employee you'll always have options.