TPM roles at Uber seem like a career trap. My partner has a TPM offer from Facebook that he is considering (transition from a SWE. He’s tired of coding). What’s being a TPM at Facebook like? Are there growth opportunities? What qualities do great TPMs at Facebook have to help them excel?#tech
Why are they a career trap at Uber?
It’s just not a very respected role. TPMs mostly manage schedules and don’t build/strengthen concrete skills in the role.
They'll find the same at fb. Maybe at Microsoft they might have a better experience, or work as a product manager. Fb is an engineering driven culture, tpm don't have any power/influence built into the role. I mentioned Microsoft because some orgs at Microsoft is still pm driven and pm is paid the same as engineers.
TPM is in some sense more important than coding
TPM/PM roles at FB are roles with a lot of variations. So it depends on a lot of your personal skill, sometimes you can find a spot that you can make great contribution, sometimes you might be marginalized and plays very insignificant role. Depends a lot on the team and your own skill.
Is the offer from Infra or Product TPM? Feel free to DM and I can offer some specific perspectives. (Was TPM at FB)
Does infra tpm pay more than product? Is there a difference or does it just depend on team and level?
It does not. Pay is the same. On Infra, you probably operate independently since there are no (or very few) PMs.
Hey maybe irrelevant, but I am being offered a position as TPM L4 in Uber its 2 levels below from my current org but the brand Uber and role might be exciting is what I felt. I would like to know more on why you claim that its a trap and any existing TPMs from Uber can chip in to weigh my thoughts to join Uber at this time and at this role with GSS team
Addtnl info: In pay wise it might be a bump, I was told so. Yet to get the offer
I generally think a brand bump is worth it if it also pays more. Uber tpms just don’t have clear value and work statements. They get pushed around a lot by EMs and Product
From what I've heard GSS isn't a great team at Uber
Any specifics? U mean in comparison with product and engineering its more of a sandwich team?
It's more of the services team of sorts in Uber. You work with vendors, partners, etc. But yes, you can switch from there to other companies
Your husband or ?
How is that relevant?