I worked as engineer for 15 years and then management for the last 2 years. The urge to go back to engineering never stop. What keeps me in management is seeing how I can create the environment where engineers are able to do their work.
If I go back to being an engineer, I won't be able to make sure product requirements are clear, priorities are correct, team members will have a chance to practice skills they don't get to do at work. At the minimum, protecting my engineers from stupid back to office policies that were enforced just because the CEO felt lonely one day. Would someone who has not worked as an engineer understand the feeling of stairing at the screen for 8 hours not able to start anything due to burnout is the worst feeling ever? Will they hear the grinding wheels when soneone used the wrong term during meetings?
There are just so many things that I can do for MY engineers, exactly what I wanted when I was still an engineer. I don't trust others to provide that so I take it on myself to do it. Granted, I need support from upper level for this to happen so it's an important aspect for me when I apply for jobs.