Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC to management

Re:Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC ... by DJBunnies on Monday January 05, 2026 @11:21AM (#46500658)

If you can avoid this transition I would recommend it. Say no, take a pay cut, feign ignorance.

9/10 times the new manager is miserable and doesn't add anything to the employees' day to day aside from stressing about your next 1:1, and is then locked to that role for the duration.

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Re:Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC ... by pingananth on Monday January 05, 2026 @11:27AM (#46500758)

That misery is real. That's actually a hidden use case for this simulator: play it, realize you hate the politics, and happily decide to stay an IC before accepting the promotion!

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Re:Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC ... by cbeach on Monday January 05, 2026 @11:31AM (#46500851)

The simulator is an excellent reminder that engineering managers sign up for an eternity in the Kobayashi Maru scenario, and there's no way to Captain Kirk it, either.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayashi_Maru

I've had the fortune to be able to steer my career back down to IC with no loss of income every time I have been pushed up into an EM role.

Only one data point, but I'm 100% happier as IC than EM.

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Re:Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC ... by pingananth on Monday January 05, 2026 @01:04PM (#46502289)

Glad that you chose happiness.

But there are other players who likes to trade it for Money!

Thanks for sharing the Kobayashi Maru scenario though! Can use it as a fun simulation if someone fails all scenarios to make it light hearted yet meaningful.

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