So I'm being given one of those somewhat meaningless software developer promotions. The kind that come with a raise that you want and a title change that is mostly there because the pointy haired types think that a salary increase should come with a title change. Our CEO asked what title I thought I should have and I don't have a good answer for him. I currently go by "Lead Engineer", but have outgrown it a bit. I need something that basically says I manage developers (but not at the director or VP level), do software design, and still do some actual coding (we are a small company so I do a bit of everything technical). I can't come up with anything less convoluted than "Engineering Manager and Systems Architect". Is there a title that is traditionally used for someone that performs both senior engineering and some managerial duties?

-Mike

Engineer Extraordinaire
:P

"Senior Lead Engineer" would probably make sense.

"Manager, Engineering" or "Manager, Software Engineering"

or

Architect instead of Manager, same context.

If you manage people, the "Manager" title is the most appropriate. Usually the others, including Architect, Fellow, etc.. don't involve managing people.

My dilemas are for finding creative titles to avoid using "CEO" or "President"

Bruno

Lead Engineer Level 5. Level 5 of course being the highest level attainable.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)?
Chief Engineering Officer?
Chief Software Architect?
Grand Poobah?

These eejits are still the masters of the art of the job title. I suggest starting as "Perfect Master" and working your way up...

Peter

I was a "Principal Software Architect" at one point. Doesn't really cover the management side, though.

I'm with Roger here.

The appropriate title to me seems like "Principal Architect."

At least in my opinion, someone at the "Principal" level
is giving technical direction to more junior people as well
as performing some project management and scheduling responsibilities.

Of course, we also have a "Senior Principal Engineer" title here, whatever THAT is supposed to mean.

In reality, titles are extremely variable by company.

I've worked at one company where "Fellow" was the highest technical title, only bestowed on a dozen people out of 10,000+ employees.
And I've worked at another company where "Fellow" meant basically "college intern." I.e., the very lowest guy on the totem pole!

And of course, if your company is small and funky, you can always go with the fun, but somewhat arrogant, title of "Alpha Geek"

I agree with those who suggested "Principal" or "Senior Principal" as the adjective. These are commonly used titles in research organizations and who knows who you'll be giving your business card to someday.

As an aside, I once met a guy who's business card listed his title as "Web Yoda".

Jim

Technical Manager. Or Senior Technical Manager.

Cheers

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I ended up with Engineering Manager/Platform Architect. It is long, but it was important to me to get both aspects of the job in there.

-Mike

You will have to get one of those scrolling LED signs to hang on your door

Technical manager. Ick. I've worked under too many idiot technical managers to ever want that position.