Engineering Manager (Entry Level)
Table of contents
Overview
The Entry Level Engineering Manager is typically a first-time people manager, transitioning from an individual contributor role. They manage a small team while learning fundamental management skills and maintaining significant technical involvement.
Job Description
Key Characteristics
- Experience: 0-2 years of management experience
- Team Size: 3-5 direct reports
- Scope: Single team or product area
- Technical Involvement: 20-40% hands-on coding
- Focus: Learning management fundamentals while contributing technically
Core Responsibilities
People Management
- Conduct weekly 1:1 meetings with all direct reports
- Provide timely and constructive feedback
- Support team members’ professional development
- Handle basic performance management issues
- Foster a positive team environment
Technical Leadership
- Remain technically hands-on with meaningful code contributions
- Participate in code reviews and technical discussions
- Guide technical decisions for the team
- Ensure code quality and best practices
- Mentor junior developers on technical skills
Project Management
- Plan and track team deliverables
- Communicate progress to stakeholders
- Identify and escalate blockers
- Coordinate with other teams as needed
- Manage sprint planning and retrospectives
Success Metrics
Team Performance
- Delivery: Consistent delivery of committed work within timelines
- Quality: Low defect rates and high code quality standards
- Velocity: Stable or improving team velocity over time
Team Development
- Retention: High team retention and low voluntary turnover
- Growth: Evidence of team member skill development and career progression
- Satisfaction: Positive team feedback in surveys and 1:1s
Personal Development
- Management Skills: Demonstrable improvement in core management competencies
- Technical Contribution: Meaningful technical contributions alongside management duties
- Stakeholder Feedback: Positive feedback from cross-functional partners
Common Challenges & Solutions
Time Management
- Challenge: Balancing management duties with technical work
- Approach: Time blocking, delegation, and clear priority setting
Difficult Conversations
- Challenge: Providing difficult feedback or managing underperformance
- Approach: Practice direct communication, seek mentorship, use structured frameworks
Technical Currency
- Challenge: Staying technically current while learning management
- Approach: Dedicate specific time to coding, participate in architecture reviews
Delegation
- Challenge: Learning to delegate effectively vs. doing work yourself
- Approach: Start with smaller tasks, provide clear context, follow up regularly
Development Focus Areas
Must Develop
- Basic people management skills (1:1s, feedback, goal setting)
- Project planning and execution
- Cross-functional communication
- Conflict resolution basics
Should Develop
- Advanced technical mentoring
- Process improvement identification
- Stakeholder management
- Performance management frameworks
Growth Path
Most Entry Level EMs spend 18-36 months at this level before promotion, focusing on:
- Consistently managing current team size effectively
- Demonstrating technical leadership beyond immediate team
- Handling complex people management situations independently
- Contributing meaningfully to technical and team strategy