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Also known as: EM, eng manager, software engineering manager

Engineering Manager

ConceptualRolesProduct

Definition

Engineering Manager: An Engineering Manager (EM) leads a team of engineers, focusing on people management, team health, and delivery. EMs handle hiring, career development, 1:1s, and cross-functional coordination. The role balances technical context (understanding what the team builds) with management skills (helping people thrive).

Example Usage

“Promoting a senior engineer to EM improved team morale and retention. She focuses on people while the tech lead handles technical decisions.”

Common Misconceptions

EMs must be the best coders. Management skills matter more; EMs need enough technical context, not expertise.
EM is a promotion from IC. It's a career change; some great ICs aren't great managers and vice versa.
EMs don't code. Many EMs code some, but their value is in leadership, not individual contribution.

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