This is a bit late, but my 2c - make sure you want this kind of role. Line management in companies with good engineers is more facilitation and people managemen

This is a bit late, but my 2c - make sure you want this kind of role. Line management in companies with good engineers is more facilitation and people management than anything else. Have a frank conversation with your boss and tell him you want to make the move in to management. Tell him you would consider leaving to make the move. Don't let him sit on his laurels - get him to talk to his boss about what positions there might be. If you get no luck there, talk to other folks in senior / management positions within the company. That same conversation should be a frank discussion about you as a potential manager. There are lots of things you can take responsibility for without being a manager, so ask your manager in the mean time can you take on these extra duties without relieving you of any of your current duties. The first promotion in to management is the difficult one and is typically filled by need. If you're in a growing company, there will be a need at some point, you just may have to accept moving out of your comfort zone. By far and away your best chance is getting a position in your current workplace, so try and do everything in your power to make that happen. If you don't see any light or movement within 6 months, move on.