There are various types of engineering managers. The engineering manager applies management principles to the field of engineering. This article explores engineering manager archetypes and the duties of this role. This article also provides some insight into how to manage yourself and your team as an engineering manager. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of what engineering managers do and how to be one of the best.
Duties of an engineering manager
As an engineering manager, you will oversee a variety of activities that contribute to the development of a product. In addition to working with teams to solve problems, you will also be responsible for facilitating cross-functional collaboration. As such, your job description will require you to develop a variety of non-technical skills, including communication with other managers. You must be able to effectively brief stakeholders, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and manage conflict.
Duties of an engineering manager include developing a clear plan for a project, assigning tasks to engineers, and supervising operations. A job in this position also requires you to write reports and manage staff. Electrical engineering managers, for example, may be responsible for designing and creating electrical circuits. As the project progresses, you will monitor its progress against set timelines.
Examples of engineering manager archetypes
There are several archetypes of engineering managers. The first archetype is the “Lead of Leads” EM, who is the leader of a team of nine to thirty other people. The EM acts as a leader in a team, allowing for more effective communication and execution.
The Tech Lead archetype is the most accessible archetype to a young staff engineer, though it may not be the most appropriate for a company with a long history of software development. Later, in organizations that use agile methodologies or stress individual ownership, the Solver role may be developed. However, the Right Hand and Architect archetypes are not commonly seen in fast-growing technology companies.
The Lead of Leads EM is an evolution of the other EM archetypes, and is often labeled “Engineering Manager.” This role requires a greater experience level and a larger set of responsibilities. The role is sometimes referred to by a different name in different organisations, and the scope of the work will play a role in detecting whether this is the best fit for you.
Managing yourself as an engineering manager
Being an engineering manager is a challenging, yet exciting, endeavor. As the spearhead of a development team, you’ll be responsible for providing guidance and problem-solving, managing project budgets and resources, and curating the team’s output. As a manager, you’ll also be responsible for looking out for your own career development. To help you navigate the challenging world of engineering management, here are some tips:
First, remember that successful managers must be capable of motivating their team. They must have a clear vision of the end results they’re working towards, and they must be able to instill a sense of purpose in their team members. This is essential for inspiring staff members and getting them to do their best work. Also, a good engineering manager should lead by example. If they see their manager is genuinely dedicated to his or her work, staff will be inspired to follow suit.
Managing your team as an engineering manager
As an engineering manager, it’s important to be aware of your team’s unique personalities, culture, and work habits. You can build camaraderie by getting to know your engineers, but a good manager must also be able to lead them to achieve business goals. If you’re unsure about how to approach your team, here are some tips for successful leadership.
Good engineering managers stand up for their team and are willing to be a good representative for them. A good manager always has their team’s best interests in mind and won’t let business priorities get in the way.
Leadership skills needed for an engineering manager
One of the most important skills for an engineering manager is the ability to effectively manage people. In engineering, this can be a challenging job, and engineers need to have good communication skills in order to keep their teams on track. Good managers know how to make everyone feel heard and understood. The ability to lead by example is also an important leadership skill. This skill is vital in any management position, as engineers often work with complex concepts. It is also important to have good interpersonal skills, as managers need to be able to conduct interviews effectively and keep team morale high.
Another important skill for a successful engineering manager is the ability to motivate people. Having the ability to communicate the reasoning behind a decision and to highlight successes to other team members is an essential skill for any engineering manager. While these skills are often labeled “soft skills,” they are critical to succeeding in this role. It is also important to be able to set priorities. In addition to the above, effective managers must also be decisive.
