Would You Take This Job?

[deanwebb]

The role that got put before me is a hybrid one... tech lead for a team of 8 engineers, ultimate point of escalation for all the technologies they support, need to pretty much be the backup SME for everyone in the team.

AND

the role also involves managerial duties in terms of allocating workload to the engineering team, running down POs with vendors, dealing with project managers about how much of your team's time they can allocate to projects, handling annual reviews, growth plans, getting people taken care of in the HR system, stuff like that.

It wasn't described in those terms, but that's what it is... a hybrid tech lead/team lead role.

Would you take it? What would you want to be different about the role to consider it? What more would you want to know about it before making a decision?

[ggnfs000]

probably would not, but it depends. I had opportunity to lead couple of engineers but they were too incompetitive, i did not wanted to delegate them. Asked my manager to conduct tougher interview and bring in better candidates and he did not listen and bring in very bad engineers.

[icecream-guy]

If I could do the job, sure.

[that1guy15]

The role that got put before me is a hybrid one... tech lead for a team of 8 engineers, ultimate point of escalation for all the technologies they support, need to pretty much be the backup SME for everyone in the team.

Sounds like the goto for anything mildly complex. Hopefully the team is competent or you will have the power/flexability to adapt the team so you are not the goto.

the role also involves managerial duties in terms of allocating workload to the engineering team, running down POs with vendors, dealing with project managers about how much of your team's time they can allocate to projects,

This is all the managerial bullshit I hate. Its the reason I dont want a supervisor or manager role. Removes me from the technology.

handling annual reviews, growth plans, getting people taken care of in the HR system, stuff like that.

This is the stuff I love about being a Sr Engineer or lead in some cases. Leading, mentoring and helping others grow is one of my biggest passions in life. Just dont ask me to help you fill out your f'n timesheet...

It wasn't described in those terms, but that's what it is... a hybrid tech lead/team lead role.

Would you take it? What would you want to be different about the role to consider it? What more would you want to know about it before making a decision?

I would ask what your split in time would be between technical work and manager stuff. Make sure you are OK with that percentage and also that you can hold them to it. Ive seen these roles start out good but slowly shift to 100% meetings and manager BS.

This is just me though, jumping into the manager stuff and leading teams might be something you want. If so, this would be a good first step.

Good luck dude!!

[deanwebb]

I've sat next to the last two that had this position. It's about 100% technical and 100% managerial. By that, I mean it's being on a call of one type while doing the other thing on a Skype chat at the same time, all day long. It's two jobs in one, and not just in terms of what they do. How much of what they do is quite a lot.

That's my biggest hesitation - I don't really want to do the thing for 6-8 months so that it's on my resume and then jump somewhere else for the same or more pay for lots less work. I'd like to be able to continue with my company, but not in a role that's nearly killed two other really good guys.

[Nerm]

At my current age no. If I was older sure.

[weasleman]

The theme I get here is the people you work with are muppets that's why you would not take the job. For me I would see that as an opportunity to try and get these people to a level you could work with. As their manager you can flip the switch back to zero if they do not perform you edge them out of the company. But what if the engineer is not performing because he's demoralised what if in his last role he's wasn't trained correctly. Remember not everyone's career path is same people havent always have the guidence that you had at the start of your career.

[deanwebb]

We've got a guy in the role as an interim and since he's not fully up to speed on all the technical stuff in our group, it might luck out for him and become more of a managerial role instead of a technical backstop. That could be a big help for him and anyone else that gets that job.

[dlots]

Probably not: I don't want to be in a leadership/manager roll, I want to do technical stuff :-)

[icecream-guy]

counter, tell them 1 meelyon dollars salary and you will take job.   

[deanwebb]

counter, tell them 1 meelyon dollars salary and you will take job.