The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Principal ML Engineer (from a large tech company)
Often a direct step, as the Principal role focuses on org-wide technical strategy, which is a great foundation for Director-level leadership.Skills to master
- Transitioning from deep IC technical leadership to managing managers, budget ownership, and broader business unit strategy. Developing executive presence and cross-functional influence.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of defining and driving technical strategy for major ML platforms.
- Experience mentoring and guiding other senior engineers.
- Demonstrable impact on business metrics through technical initiatives.
- Strong communication skills with non-technical stakeholders.
- 2
ML Engineering Manager (from a larger organisation)
Typically 2-4 years as a successful ML Engineering Manager, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple teams or a large, complex programme.Skills to master
- Scaling leadership from managing individual teams to managing other managers, owning a larger P&L, and developing a strategic vision for an entire function. Building strong relationships with other Directors/VPs.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding team performance goals and delivering on roadmaps.
- Successful hiring, development, and retention of engineering talent.
- Demonstrable ability to manage complex projects with significant cross-functional dependencies.
- Proactive identification and resolution of organisational impediments.
- 3
Director of Engineering (from a related domain)
Sometimes a direct lateral move, particularly if the previous role involved managing large data or infrastructure teams, with a strong interest and foundational knowledge in ML.Skills to master
- Deepening expertise in MLOps, ML architecture patterns, and the specific challenges of ML model lifecycle management. Building credibility within the ML community.
You're ready to move on when
- Strong track record in managing large engineering organisations and budgets.
- Proven ability to quickly learn and apply new technical domains.
- Demonstrable interest and foundational understanding of machine learning concepts and applications.
- Excellent strategic and people leadership skills.