One thing you may want to think about. Maybe your company doesn’t believe you are qualified for management. Not everyone can fit into that mold. Knowing your job is one thing, managing others is totally different.
No, they didn't interview anyone in the company for the position, even a "younger worker" who was their longer than I was. Boy was he pissed, but the company has some big defense contracts now, so he stayed too....
The Army thought I was qualified for management when they promoted me to Captain, but people are forcibly retired out of the army to make room for younger guys.
Engineering is a Geriocracy.