Depending on your skills and the companies you are looking into, there is decent flexibility between independent contributor and technical tracks. Making a move

Depending on your skills and the companies you are looking into, there is decent flexibility between independent contributor and technical tracks. Making a move that is lateral, between tracks, shouldn't pose a problem. With regard to your future prospects, it's all about how you spin it. However, recruiters / HR aren't creative folks. They will look at your last job to slot you into your next job; if and when you want to switch back to management, that job is probably not going to come looking for you.