What is required to become an engineering manager ?

People skills, and not being an extreme introvert. Conflict resolution. Being able to represent your position in a positive light without being adversarial

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When you’ll be able to represent your team, earn their trust and let them make decisions you will know you are ready to become a manager. Lots of skills involved here in time you will know.

Politics

Lol this tc is dumb for 2yoe, why even bother with management?

OP, unrelated, but are you at SAP?

Let your manager know about your future aspirations (and expected timeline) and ask some good EM to mentor you. Learn to lead without authority: take initiative, ensure everyone's voice is heard in meetings, thank and praise peers. Try to always see the big picture. Not just what is asked from you, but what you can do to ensure project / team success. Build a network within company by being active and getting involved. It is EM's job to get stuff done in efficient manner while keeping his team happy. Don't accept an EM position before you are ready for it, but also don't be afraid of making some mistakes in your first EM role. Best of luck!

What I didn't fully grasp in my first managerial position (at 3 YOE, with 6 directs) was the required mindset shift. As a manager, you meet targets only through others: by motivating and representing your team. Your team must be efficient and have impact, independent of your own true enthusiasm (or lack thereof).