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I do tech screens at Google. AMA
Why do many Blinders think that TPM is not a good position? To me it sounds like a sweet spot between design engineers and management. You don’t have to worry about resources, schedule etc. Your focus is almost entirely focused on solving technical challenges. What am I missing? #offer #tech #job #level #position @Facebook @Apple @Google @Zoox @Microsoft
Less pay than product/engineering. Responsible for everything but no real power or control. If everything goes right it’s not really something you did, but if anything goes wrong it’s your fault. Depends on your personality it’s all soft skills and dealing with people rather than actually working on projects. Depending on your company/org you might just be a secretary.
In that case what’s an alternative system-like position in which you don’t necessarily code but get involved in solving problems, defining requirements, supporting cross functional design teams, and laying out architecture etc?
TPMs range from secretaries to project managers to what you described.
The role of TPM varies among companies. In some companies, TPM are mostly project managers. They will do things no one else in the team wants to do like taking notes and scheduling meetings. In some, the role is similar to Product Manager - Technical. The former one is not cool.
I am a TPM and it is a pure BS job. I did not realize this before joining this position. Now I am trying to get out of it.
Lol
I have to agree. I have been a TPM at 2 different companies and it's basically taking notes and setting up meetings. The issue is that once you go the route of TPM it can be very difficult to get out of it.
It's sad to hear all this. That's why we have a bad reputation. Why the hell do people accept this mediocre scope. 1) Our SDMs and Senior SDEs do not want to or are not capable of managing complex software development projects, 2) we hire engineers who can rarely manage their own work and require a babysitter. In my org, nothing big, complex or ambiguous ships without a TPM.
What’s a good way to summarize the type of work TPMs accomplish to ensure that the program/project advances smoothly and in the right direction?
I manage large complex ambiguous date-driven cross org programs. I dont code but I argue with SDMs on the designs, I callout BS when SDEs and QAEs give me ridiculous estimates, I organize everyone, including the cheeky SDEs who think they know everything but can't give a fucking status update. I set the overall dev and program milestones, I push everyone to get shit done on time. I unblock teams, I resolve their dependencies and I reassure them that no the date isn't moving and yes we are going to make it.
I don't really agree with previous comments TPM being like secretary and taking notes in the meeting. Do you SDEs really think the product you're doing you piece of code with perhaps many other teams with plenty of other dependencies come to together by itself. Someone need to co-ordinate everything. TPM is managing multiple projects and making sure everything in all projects go together finally as final product. Based on my conversation with e.g. few Amazon Engineering Managers who are manager of SDEs, but they also actually have a role of project manager. I was wondering why Amazon never hire project managers; I got my answers. I think how technical TPM can be depends on the person. Some of them might be very competent technically. I have been personally been Technical Lead in some of the programs I have lead - baby sit junior engineers, etc.
I am a software engineer and initially when i was less experienced i was thinking that program manager role is useless..however as i started to go up the ladder I realized that the top leadership only cares about how each program is going and in that sense program management is a very critical position if done correctly..A effective program manager is a one who is not just a yes man to engineering or product but who is fearless in guiding the program to success by interacting with diverse set of people with different temperament and agendas..its a tough job if done correctly....moreover if the program succeeds everyone gets credits but if it fails usually the blame is put on program management
Agreed with you.
Care to share your org? I’m extremely interested in knowing in FB, in which org a TPM can ignore resourcing and scheduling. Even TLs and very senior ICs need to care about them.
Engineer can lead program if given opportunity
TPMS are like team secretaries. They don't solve technical problems, they take notes.
Hmm that doesn’t sound right. Perhaps you are dealing with a bad TPM?
Oh no, my TPM is great. But in general that's what they do. They don't solve technical problems at all.