Engineering managers have a new job description Engineering manager roles have shifted from pure coordination to a 'player-coach' model, with 37% of leaders now deeply hands-on, according to a LeadDev article. AI tools enable managers to quickly regain technical speed by picking up small unplanned work and investigating complex tasks, while leaving planned work to the team. Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways: Engineering manager roles have shifted from pure coordination to “player-coach,” with 37% of leaders now deeply hands-on .- AI tools make it feasible to get back up to technical speed fast . The rule: pick up small unplanned work yourself, investigate complex work, and leave planned work to the team. The engineering manager https://leaddev.com/career-development/the-reality-of-being-an-engineering-manager role is changing fast. In 2022, my role at an online pharmacy was defined by a predictable cycle: play ‘dependency Tetris’ at the start of the quarter, make sure the team stays unblocked and regularly escalate, and evaluate the leftovers when the next planning cycle begins.