Engineering -> Manager -> Engineering?
I started my career off as a Program Manager (which was more of an internal tooling Eng Manager role as I had direct engineering reports eventually too) for 2.5 years. I then moved to a Data Engineer role which I have been in for 2.5 years. All tech firms, FAANG included. I seem to be getting traction for jobs like ‘senior analyst’, ‘data engineering manager’, ‘program manager analytics’ roles, rather than pure Data Engineer / technical roles at firms like LinkedIn, Airbnb, Expedia, HubSpot etc. I get rejected for Product Manager - Data roles though. At FAANG its the opposite (they interview me for Data Engineer roles). (What is strange is I freelance on the side and work on Data Engineering projects specifically for fun on weekends so I am wondering how to convey my passion for DE further!) I am wondering if it is best to get into a role (like one of the above) at decent firm first in Dublin’s HQ through such a role, move to the US internally, while LeetCoding for SDE positions internally. I will finish my Masters in Computer Science this year too. I notice at a lot of firms the Engineering headcount is dominant in the US (Airbnb for example have literally no engineering roles in UK/Dublin). I also notice Data Engineering is rolled up into Software Engineering at a lot of places and perhaps because I’ve never been a pure Software Engineer my application is seen as less technical? Would being in Dublin, where there are a lot more tech firms and eng headcount, be better than London?
I am doing LC and planned to move internally but it may not be an option due to some internal circumstances. Therefore just planning for a back up plan. Also placed like LinkedIn etc seem nicer than Amazon to work for. Family/mortgage is not an issue as I am single and commitment free. :)
In that case, I'd apply globally, why limit yourself to Dublin?
US VISA or other country VISAs are not possible unless I move internally I reckon. Dublin I can work in without sponsorship and the UK (I am a British Citizen). Am I overlooking something?
You seem to have answered your own question. If you're already at a great company for a SDE role. I'd LC and move in that direction internally. If family and mortgage(s) are a non-issue, I'd move around too.