Many senior software engineers like yourself may be considering a career as an engineering manager. But of course, the first thing you may want to know is what the role is like on an average working day. Having an idea of how your time will be spent in this role can be beneficial to understanding if this career is one you want to pursue.
Our article will explore what engineer managers do during their workdays. We'll also look into what it takes to become a manager and how you can be successful in your new position.
Duties and Responsibilities
Deciding to become a manager is no small task. The job description can vary. However, there are many factors each software engineer should consider. One such factor is, whether are you ready to lead a team. Are you prepared to take on more responsibilities? Are you able to manage many things at once?
These are essential questions to ask yourself as you journey to management. With any management position, your responsibilities multiply, more people will count on you, and more will fall on your shoulders regarding team performance, project deliverables, and overall team functionality.
You are the spearhead of the development team; therefore, your duty is to ensure they have the tools to be successful at their job. You'll be sought after for team communication, guidance, and to aid in finding solutions to a multitude of problems.
.png?width=1206&name=Connecting%20with%20people%20online%20%20(1).png)
Other responsibilities outside of team management can be many, here are just a few of them:
- Management of project budgets, resources, and designs.
- Planning timelines and strategies.
- Evaluate team performance and make adjustments.
- Set short and long-term goals.
- Delegate tasks.
- Interview and hire new talent.
- Assisting team members through career growth and development.
Qualifications
If you consider this role, you are probably interested in knowing the qualifications to become an engineering manager and what steps you should take to get there. So let's take a look!
-
Experience
IT professionals who become managers were most likely senior software developers beforehand. They may have held various positions within the tech industry and gained years of experience doing so. If you want to step into management, you must have a few years of experience underneath your belt, along with the education behind it.
-
Education
Before pursuing tech lead and management positions, IT professionals must take time to acquire higher education in the form of bachelor's degrees, courses, or training, typically in computer science, tech, or business management.
.png?width=1206&name=Books%20in%20a%20library%20(1).png)
When it comes to technology, continued education, and learning are needed to stay current and innovative within the industry. Therefore, additional certificates such as the PMP may be necessary or required.
-
Hone Additional Skills
Aside from educational requirements, there are softer skills that you can obtain and fine-tune to make your job as a manager more effective and satisfactory. Here are a few examples:
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Communication abilities.
- Organizational skills.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Effective and active listening.
- Action-oriented, goal-driven skills
What it Takes to Be a Great Manager
A big part of becoming a successful manager is the willingness to listen to your team and take suggestions from them. Understanding that you aren't the most intelligent person in the room can go a long way in facilitating a team culture that is trusting, transparent and encouraging.
You may be the team's boss, but you are still very much a part of the team. What makes a great leader is someone who is not only able to call the shots but who is willing to roll up their sleeves and work alongside their team.
Projects can be tedious, and deadlines can be tight; during these moments is when you should act as the cheerleader for your developers, offering positivity and reinforcement to keep the members of your team inspired and productive in their everyday work.
Typical Day as an Engineering Manager
So what exactly does a manager do during a day's work? While schedules differ daily, core activities are generally held throughout most companies.
Communicating with Staff
We spoke briefly about effective communication and how it's a significant part of your job description. Throughout the day, a manager will have a variety of meetings with different people, from clients to managers from other departments, and their direct reports.
The team leader must understand the scope of the project they are developing. Therefore, everyone must periodically address the goals and goal management of the deliverable.
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Undoubtedly, every day a manager goes to work, there are choices and progress to be made. As the team leader, a part of your responsibility is making sure deadlines are met on time.
That may mean delegating tasks to others or collaborating for quicker results. Collaboration is beneficial as it brings minds together from different viewpoints to find a solution that best fits the situation.
.png?width=1206&name=Problem-solving%20(1).png)
The phrase “we are all in this together” can very much apply here as software development as a whole is a collaborative process.
Considering Moving Up The Career Ladder?
Taking on the role of an engineering manager can seem intimidating, but you have prepared yourself and are ready to start your new journey as a team leader! Why else would you be here reading this article?
Now that you've begun searching for a position that suits your skills and expertise let us help you achieve your goal! At Nexton, we aid senior software developers in making their next career move!
Whether you are looking for a higher salary, a company aligned with your values, or the perfect work-life balance, we aim to connect you with those who are hiring remote workers globally and that best suit your aspirations. Let's get started!
