First, let me ask - what kind of management role interests you most? Some engineers move into technical product management, engineering management, or general business leadership roles. Each path benefits from different skills and experience.

An MBA could help with this transition, but I'd suggest defining your target role before committing to a program. The schools that would serve you best depend on your specific goals.

For tech management in California, consider:
- Stanford GSB - Places exceptionally well into Silicon Valley tech leadership roles
- Berkeley Haas - Strong tech industry connections and placement
- UCLA Anderson - Good Southern California tech opportunities

That said, many tech companies promote strong engineers into management without an MBA. You might explore:

1. Internal management opportunities at your current company
2. Technical leadership assignments to build management experience
3. Project management certifications or courses
4. Informational interviews with engineering managers about their career paths

If you decide an MBA makes sense, focus on schools with:
- Strong tech industry recruiting
- Project-based learning opportunities
- Technical management courses
- Relevant student clubs and activities
- Alumni networks in your target companies

I'd encourage you to speak with engineering managers at companies where you'd like to work. Ask about their career progression and whether they found an MBA valuable. Their insights can help determine if an MBA is the right investment for your goals.

What kind of management role interests you most?

As an alum of UCLA (among others) I think the big question is whether you;d study full-time (ideal for your transition) or part-time. GSB has a younger MBA cohort because 30-somethings can also choose the MSx.

One other option: https://msande.stanford.edu/academics-admissions/graduate/ms-program/part-timeremote-ms/part-timeonline-ms

Thank you both.

@Stuart, I always thought either technical or engineering management might make the most sense for me given my interests and my experience, though I've got to admit I haven't really defined my goals 100% clearly. Maybe I should focus a bit more on this first. I guess my desire for transitioning comes more from feeling a bit stuck or bored in the low level world of software engineering and wanting to learn about and experience the bigger picture / long-term planning and development and put my experience into that.

Unfortunately, given the structure of my company, I don't see option 1. being that feasible but who knows. I'll look into it. Thanks for providing such a clear answer with all the outlined possibilities and paths.

@Duncan, given that full-time is ideal given my situation, I'd be able to do it given my present circumstances (although it's also not ideal in some ways, but I can manage, which I guess is most important). Thanks for the info and resources!

Your instinct to clarify goals first is spot-on. An MBA is a major investment - both time and money - so it's worth being clear on the target role.
Engineering management and technical management differ meaningfully:
Engineering managers lead software teams, focusing on technical delivery, mentoring engineers, and coordinating projects. This path often needs less formal business education but more hands-on leadership experience.
Technical product managers shape product strategy, work with stakeholders across functions, and make business decisions about product direction. This role benefits more from MBA skills like strategy, finance, and cross-functional leadership.
Since you're interested in broader business and long-term planning, product management might fit well. Many PMs come from engineering backgrounds.
Next steps I'd suggest:
-- Meet with both engineering managers and product managers at your company
-- Lead some technical projects to test your interest in different aspects of leadership
-- Research the career paths of leaders you admire on LinkedIn
-- Consider informational interviews at other tech companies