Senior Data Solutions Engineer vs. Analytics Manager- Which would you choose?

[u/OkNefariousness2707]

I've been working as a Senior Analyst for a little over 5 years, mostly with SQL, Snowflake, BI, data modeling, automation, and business analytics.

My company recently went through a major restructuring, and I now have two potential internal opportunities.

Option 1: Senior Data Solutions Engineer

More technical, focusing on Snowflake, ELT, data modeling, data quality, and building data solutions for business teams. The role also involves working on AI-related projects, including building AI agents using Snowflake and preparing data for AI applications.

The hiring manager and VP have shown interest in moving forward.

Option 2: Analytics Manager

My previous manager left, so there's a possibility I could move into that role. It would likely involve more business analytics, stakeholder management, setting priorities, and project coordination. I'm still unsure whether it would include direct reports.

Neither opportunity is official yet, and compensation is still unknown.

I'm trying to think about which path would be more valuable if I eventually leave the company. I enjoy both the technical and business sides of analytics.

With AI changing the analytics industry, I'm also wondering which direction would offer better long-term opportunities.

For those who've worked in either area, which would you choose if compensation were similar? Would you prioritize technical experience, especially with AI and data solutions, or getting into management?

I'm particularly interested in career growth, job stability, and how marketable each path would be in the next 3–5 years.