Lack of non-management career paths (Score 1)

I'm 34 and work in Israel at a medium-size
embedded systems/datacom shop. 18 months ago
I was promoted to group leader: First I
supervised a Physics Phd-dropout who had done
a 6-month crash-course in programming, then I
supervised a 47-yr. old Russian guy.

Both managing gigs flopped miserably - to a
large extent because the managees were not
selected by me, but also because I prefer
software design and coding to patting people
on the back, messing w/ MS Project, and going
to lots of meetings. My bosses have now
apparently shifted me into a system architecture
type gig - which is fine for now.

When I look at want ads however I see that most
senior positions involve project/group management.
I've heard that there are a few companies, Novell
in particular, that have a non-managerial path
of advancement for techies. But these seem to
be the exception.

I'm concerned that a few years down the line I
will find it more difficult to find full-time
work. Though I think I should have no problem
as a contract programmer.

As an aside, I think that it would be great
if Slashdot had some sort of permanent forum
for discussion of tech careers.