(Mobile) Feature vs Platform Team
(Mobile) Feature vs Platform Team: Navigating Your Career Path
Hey everyone,
Recently, I’ve found myself at a crossroads in my career: the opportunity has arisen to switch from my current role on a feature team to a position on my company’s (native) mobile platform team, which focuses on CI/CD and build tooling. This has prompted me to reflect on the differences between feature and platform teams and the implications for career growth.
The Allure of Technical Depth
As a current feature developer, I’ve often felt that my work lacks depth and technical challenge. While helping others and contributing to projects is rewarding, it sometimes feels shallow. The platform team, in contrast, appears to engage with more complex, niche technical problems—areas that intrigue me and align with my passion for learning.
Insights from Transitioning Roles
Many professionals in the industry have made similar transitions. One commenter shared their journey from feature development to platform engineering, emphasizing the steep learning curve involved. They noted that while the visibility of daily updates might diminish (since progress isn’t as easily showcased), the work is inherently more challenging. This resonates with the sentiment that deep technical work often leads to greater satisfaction and growth.
The Ambiguity of Platform Work
Transitioning to a platform team typically involves a shift from a clear, project-based scope to a more ambiguous and exploratory environment. The technical impact of platform work is broad—affecting multiple teams and projects—while feature work is more narrowly focused on delivering business outcomes. One commenter poignantly illustrated this with the analogy of measuring the impact of a new CI platform on multiple teams, which is often more complex than simply delivering a CRUD microservice.
The Risks Involved
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the risks involved in making this transition. Some have experienced challenges such as an overwhelming amount of manual tasks, steep learning curves, and the potential for high-stress situations. Unlike feature teams, where a bug might affect a single feature, platform teams can face crises where “the entire system is offline,” leading to critical emergencies that can impact the entire organization.
The Importance of Proving Impact
To thrive in a platform role, one must navigate the fine line between building what is technically sound and addressing the actual needs of the organization. A respected platform team is often one that demonstrates the impact of their work clearly. By identifying and solving pressing problems, they can foster buy-in from other teams and stakeholders. As one commentator aptly pointed out, it’s crucial to build what everyone thinks is best rather than just what you believe is best.
Career Progression: Weighing Options
As I contemplate switching teams, a significant factor is the career trajectory associated with each role. While platform experience is highly regarded—especially in larger tech companies—there are promotion opportunities tied to my current feature role that I would be willing to forego for the sake of deeper experience and learning.
In evaluating whether to make this leap, I’ve considered how platform experience can open doors, offering a more comprehensive understanding of technology and systems that goes beyond feature development. This holistic view can enhance my value in the job market and prepare me for future challenges.
Conclusion: Seeking Guidance and Sharing Experiences
As I weigh these options, I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Have you transitioned from a feature team to a platform team? What challenges and rewards have you encountered? How do you view the trade-offs between immediate career advancement and long-term growth?
Thank you for joining this discussion. Your insights could help guide not only my decision but also others facing similar crossroads in their careers.
This blog post presents a nuanced perspective on the differences between feature and platform teams, leveraging insights from the comments to explore the challenges and rewards of each role. It invites further discussion, making it a collaborative space for sharing experiences and advice.