Career Overview
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Also Known As
- Engineering Director
- Engineering Program Manager
- Project Engineering Manager
- Project Manager
Alternate Job Titles
- Architect Manager
- Architectural Project Manager
- Civil Engineering Manager
- Civil Project Manager (Civil PM)
- Data Engineering Director
- Data Engineering Manager
- Electrical Engineering Director
- Electrical Engineering Manager
- Electrical Project Manager (Electrical PM)
- Electronics Engineering Manager
- Engineering Design Manager
- Engineering Director
- Engineering Group Manager
- Engineering Program Manager
- Engineering Project Manager
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
- Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
- Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
- Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
- Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
- Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
- Assess project feasibility by analyzing technology, resource needs, or market demand.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Fluency of Ideas
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Leadership Orientation
- Dependability
- Innovation
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 10 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
- Amazon Redshift
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Apache Cassandra
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache Hive
- Apache Kafka
- Apache Maven
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Drawing tablets
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Scanners
- Tablet computers
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $111,450 |
| Median | $167,740 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 210,340
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Project Management Specialists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $100,750
Industrial Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $101,140
Logistics Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $80,880
Electrical Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $111,910
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $106,120
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.