Story

I've spent the last 5 years as a PM working closely with engineering teams, architecting solutions and speaking fluent tech - but I'm tired of being the person who draws on the whiteboard without writing the actual code. My background:

- 5 years as a PM - CS fundamentals are solid - Have built various hackathon projects (both frontend and backend) - Can sketch out system architecture in my sleep (co-invented a software patent) - Regularly contribute to technical discussions and decision-making - BUT: Haven't shipped production code professionally

I'm particularly interested in full-stack development and AI integrations. I know the product side cold, I understand what makes for good UX, and I can bridge the business-technical gap. Now I want to be the one building, not just specifying. The job market isn't great right now, which makes this transition harder. I'm looking for environments that value Respect, Integrity, operate with a Sense of Urgency, and (crucially) have Funding.

For those who've made this transition successfully:

1. What's your recommended path? 2. How did you overcome the "no professional engineering experience" hurdle? 3. Any specific companies known for supporting this kind of transition? 4. Should I target smaller companies where I can wear multiple hats?

Thanks HN!