Table of Contents
The different roles under Engineering Leadership are varied and often depend on the company you work for. If you look at a wide range of companies, you will find that there isn’t a standardised definition of any one role or title; for example, an Engineering Manager at a tech giant like Facebook or Google will have a very different set of expectations than the same position at an early stage start-up.
This role typically involves overseeing a team of engineers, coordinating their work, setting goals, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects. Engineering managers are responsible for the professional development of their team members, providing guidance, mentorship, and support. They often serve as a bridge between the engineering team and other departments within the organisation, such as product management and upper management.
Principal and Staff engineers are highly experienced technical experts who play a key role in guiding the technical direction of a project or product. They often lead architectural discussions, design reviews, and technical decision-making processes. Principal engineers are responsible for ensuring that engineering best practices are followed, and they may also mentor more junior engineers.
Technical leads are typically senior or lead engineers who take on leadership responsibilities within a specific project or team. They provide technical direction, lead by example, and help solve complex technical challenges. Technical leads often collaborate closely with product managers and other stakeholders to ensure that technical solutions align with business requirements. They may also be involved in code reviews, architecture discussions, and mentoring junior team members.
These roles typically oversee multiple engineering teams or departments within an organisation. They set strategic direction, allocate resources, and ensure that engineering efforts are aligned with business goals. They may also play a key role in hiring, organisational planning, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within the engineering organisation.
It's worth reviewing your career framework and similar documentation to gain a clear understanding of your organisation's leadership roles.
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