The engineering leadership ladder starts with EM0 for an engineer starting in a leadership role. An EM0 can further grow in this line to become a senior engineering manager, leading up to the Director of Engineering, Vice President of Engineering, and the CTO. Although job titles for engineering leadership roles vary for different companies, the management structure presented in this lesson is more or less the same.
EM0
EM0 is an uncommon role, and not many companies have it. Mostly, it serves as a transitional-level role when growing an individual contributor to an engineering management role. That is why EM0s are sometimes also referred to as entry-level managers.
Engineering managers at this level usually manage a small team of three to five people, while still dedicating half of their time to technical tasks. This provides the senior management of the company with an early opportunity to gauge the leadership capabilities of its potential engineering managers.
Note: EM0s are typically not hired from outside the company. The role is used for transitional purposes.
EM1
EM1s are the backbone of the company’s engineering and are considered powerhouses in executing the company’s goals and achieving results. They are sometimes referred to as line managers and work closely with the engineering team. EM1s are responsible for both the success and health of the team.
Additionally, they are involved in hiring and onboarding new team members, collecting and delivering feedback, and doing performance reviews.
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