How to Become a Technical Product Manager

Product management, as a discipline, governs the creation, release, and ongoing refinement of products within a business. Within this realm, a technical product manager (TPM) focuses on the technical facets of a product, handling issues that demand specialized expertise in technology. 

The growing technology landscape signals a strong demand for technical product managers. A Statista survey forecasts that by 2027, 75 percent of global companies will adopt big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies [1]. 

Explore the work duties of a technical product manager, how this role compares to that of a product manager, and how to begin your career in this field. 

What does a technical product manager do?

As a technical product manager, you assess whether a product is built to last while also fulfilling its functional purpose. A central aspect of your role is defining the product road map—an essential guide that allows for seamless team collaboration, early problem identification, and steady progress through each phase of the product life cycle.

A TPM’s role becomes particularly pronounced in product scenarios that demand thoughtful trade-offs between technical constraints and user value. Examples of such scenarios include: 

• A wearable device manufacturer aiming to enhance battery performance while balancing user comfort and hardware limitations

• A consumer electronics brand seeking to develop a smart speaker with intuitive voice controls for a wide range of users, including those with accessibility needs

In each of the aforementioned scenarios, the TPM serves as the central point of coordination, aligning diverse teams, including design and engineering, toward a technical strategy. 

Technical product manager duties and responsibilities

You may choose to manage product development full-time or step in as a technical expert when necessary. Besides defining the product road map, a technical product manager, as part of an organization’s product development team, is responsible for:

• Translating customer needs into product specifications

• Setting up a road map for the product development process

• Handling product-specific technical risks as they appear

• Ensuring product understanding across teams and with external stakeholders

Technical product manager vs. product manager: How do they differ? 

A technical product manager leads initiatives around the technology that enables the product. In contrast, a product manager is geared toward business goals, with a strong focus on customer needs, and plays a key role in shaping the product vision and strategy. 

Given their unique focuses, both professionals work with different teams. Technical product managers often collaborate with technology-focused teams, such as engineering and software development, to define user requirements that align with the product’s underlying technology. Product managers, however, work with nontechnical teams like marketing, sales, and customer support to facilitate product launches. 

Technical product manager salary and job outlook

A technical product manager is a niche role within the larger product management domain. The job outlook for this role is promising, driven by the rising demand for technically skilled managers in industries undergoing digital transformation.

In the United States, the salary for a technical product manager typically falls between $120,052 and $134,551 per year, according to multiple job listing websites. The table below summarizes the salary estimates from Zippia, Glassdoor, Salary.com, and Indeed [2, 3, 4, 5].

Note that pay for this position can differ based on location and company size, among other factors. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts up to 1.2 million management job openings each year between 2023 and 2033 [6].

How to become a technical product manager

Discover the essential steps—from education and experience to certifications and career strategies—that can help you break into the field of technical product management.

Step 1: Get a formal education.

The majority of technical product managers, 69 percent, have a bachelor’s degree, making it the most common qualification in the field [7]. If you’re just starting out, technical majors such as computer science, engineering, software development, or information technology can help you lay the groundwork for understanding and leading product development. 

If you’re a professional looking to switch careers and cannot commit to a four-year degree, you might want to consider boot camps. The online AI boot camp for product managers by the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), for instance, offers guidance on integrating AI techniques with product workflows to drive smarter product decisions.

Whether you choose a degree for a more comprehensive education or a boot camp for quick practical experience, both paths offer valuable opportunities for growth.

Step 2: Work up from product-related jobs.

Since TPM is a managerial position, prior experience in technology or product environments is usually a key requirement. Below are examples of some roles that can help you build the foundation you need to transition into the technical product manager position:

Product developer: As a product developer, you will make use of your business insight and design expertise to engineer new, innovative products. This involves designing prototypes, outlining product specifications, and using advanced design software to bring concepts to life. To differentiate upcoming products, you might also perform market research to identify competitor offerings.

Product analyst: The product analyst role involves using data to guide the development and marketing direction of a product. Essentially, you analyze customer responses and user behavior to provide product teams with relevant and timely data. Additionally, you might be responsible for tracking product performance data and metrics over time.

Associate product manager: As an associate product manager, you may support product development and marketing efforts alongside senior product managers. You could also assist in shaping products’ pricing strategies. Updating stakeholders on products’ progress and any emerging challenges is another critical aspect of your role.

Step 3: Obtain relevant certifications.

Besides expanding your technical knowledge, certifications can enhance your earning potential by making you more attractive to employers who seek candidates with verified expertise. The list below highlights some popular certification options for technical product managers. 

AIPMM Certified Product Manager

Through the Association of International Product Marketing and Management’s Certified Product Manager certification, you can improve your ability to define accurate product specifications, develop structured product case studies, and conduct competitive research.

Certified Scrum Product Owner 

Scrum is an Agile methodology that supports teams in swiftly responding to change, integrating customer feedback, and breaking work into smaller, achievable tasks. With the Certified Scrum Product Owner certification by Scrum Alliance, you can gain expertise in the core principles and values of Scrum. The program also offers insights into developing product visions that match customer preferences.

Pragmatic Product Management Certification

The Pragmatic Institute’s Product Management Certification can help you strengthen your skills in assessing market trends and creating robust product road maps. The program also includes real-world case studies to help you refine your product strategies. 

Step 4: Continue learning as you grow in your career.

By consistently educating yourself, you can keep up with the latest trends in product management. Participating in interactive workshops is an excellent way to experience industry shifts. The Silicon Valley Product Group, for example, offers product master classes for both individual contributors and leaders in product management, design, and engineering.

Pair this with social learning by following respected voices in the product management space on platforms like LinkedIn and X to gain quick access to industry commentary and trending topics.

What are some key workplace skills for technical product managers?

Excelling in a TPM role requires mastering both the technical aspects of your work and the collaborative tasks that come with it. The following skills are central to achieving that balance.

Clear communication

As a technical product manager, it’s crucial to simplify complex technical terminology, making it accessible and clear to nontechnical team members. Strong communication abilities not only ensure clarity but also contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment.

Strong leadership 

Effective leadership involves inspiring your team, keeping them motivated, and making sure that they stay aligned with the project’s goals. It also requires the ability to challenge your team to think creatively and find solutions while staying true to the larger vision. 

Conflict management

As a technical product manager, you may, at times, be at the crossroads of differing technical and business points of view. Your ability to defuse tension, encourage productive conversations, and guide teams toward mutual understanding ensures that conflicts don’t become roadblocks.

Prepare for a career as a technical product manager on Coursera

The technical product manager role requires you to navigate technical complexities and business considerations to create products that are both feasible and profitable. Develop the skills you need to excel in this position by enrolling in the Software Product Management Specialization

 on Coursera. Curated by the University of Alberta, this five-course series gives you the opportunity to practice and apply management techniques to industry-inspired scenarios.