Tech IndustryFeb 13, 2020
Salesforcehelp_34

should I move to senior TPM from senior Software engineer?

I work as a senior software engineer (got promoted last year), have around 5-6 years experience. Wanted to try a different role (other than programming) like program manager or product owner but I mostly got interview calls for SDE because of my experience. Recently got a TPM offer in the same company, but now I’m worried if I’m making a bad choice to move into that role? reading online many posts mention it’s a dead end etc. The people who interviewed me mentioned this role is half product owner and half TPM, but on paper it mentions TPM so it might affect future opportunities? I’m also om H1B and I140 approved so all those things would need to be updated as well (amendment, refile) would it be easier to move into a product owmer role from TPM? I do like job security and I’m worried this may not be very secure

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Amazon weruy Feb 13, 2020

TPM seems to be a downgrade from senior engineer. You may be limited to only TPM roles in future, so if that’s what you want to do and are interested in then go for it

Salesforce help_34 OP Feb 13, 2020

Thanks! Would you explain why downgrade? It’s the same level 7 (senior). Also having a background in software experience I was thinking I’d still be able to switch back to sde in future if I wanted , and not just be limited to TPM. Also how common is it to go from TPM to PO?

Apple Tim App1e Feb 13, 2020

Definite downgrade in terms of prestige, pay, bonus, and upward progress. And it’s typically a 1-way transition. It’ll be pretty difficult to get back into a Dev role. There’s a reason why you don’t need a Comp Sci degree to be a TPM.

Salesforce help_34 OP Feb 13, 2020

Thank you! Would a PO role also be considered a downgrade? If not, is becoming a TPM one step closer to PO compared to sde?

Apple Tim App1e Feb 13, 2020

Not sure what “PO” is, but in terms of pay, prestige, and marketable skill sets, core engineering (Dev, QE, DevOps) far outstrips all other disciplines (PgM, PM, Analysts, TAM, etc...). Engineers can do and go into any other discipline they want, with very little barrier to entry, but to go into Eng without currently being in Eng is extremely rare.

Ask.com hre4gossip Jan 4, 2021

Hi @help_34, Did you make the switch? I'm also in a similar situation. Also I hear that once you make this switch, you will lose the line in the queue for GC i.e. new priority date for the new I140 since TPM does not fall under engineering and has a different code that the code used for SWE which is used to decide whether the existing priority date can be ported. Is this true?