How does IC to manager transitions work at Uber? Let’s say for relatively higher levels like L6 or L7?
There is an apprentice management program that you can go through provided that there is a business need for you to manage a small team - you start with no more than three people (IIRC), just one person can be enough, and you go through some training as well mostly legal stuff. This lasts for about three to six months after which you are put through a committee to become a manager and you may also be releveled in the process - for example if you’re a higher level IC you may or may not get the same level as a manager. Curious what it’s like at Facebook as well?
If us much more informal at Facebook. Once your management chain thinks you are ready and there is a business need, you start with a small team in a interim basis. Your manager mentors you during this time and collects feedback from your reports. If everything looks good after few months, you are moved to management. There is no level change.
There is the ability to sidestep the AM program if you've got demonstrated leadership experience. You'll still have to do the training, which is useful for anyone, but you won't have to go through the assessment and graduation at the end.
There is an extensive AMA post here on blind written by an Uber manager (transitioned from an IC). Look for it.
The potential releveling sounds like a deal breaker for a L6/L7 to consider switching.
In addition to my previous comment, if you've got enough actual management experience, you might even go straight to eng manager 2 level. But if you don't, you have to recognise that it's a very different role, so being a great IC isn't all that relevant.
Here is more context. I am E6 TLM at Facebook. Long term, I would like to switch to management completely. My management experience is a bit thin and would not expect more than 5b. However, my technical background is very strong, there is a fair chance I can get 6 as an IC. One option could be to try 6 as an IC and eventually switch to 6 as a manager. From this thread, looks like that might be hard if there is a level adjustment.
So you can choose to stay as IC after the apprentice program as well. There is also a TLM track which might be similar to what you’re doing now. I don’t think you need to go through the program for tlm to pure management, the program is more for people with zero management experience.
Thanks
Not from external hire
Not talking about external hire. For someone already in Uber
They have access to the resources if they are inside Uber already.