Engineering Management Career
Overview
Engineering management is a field that combines engineering and business skills to lead technical teams and projects.
Engineering managers are responsible for:
- Planning and managing engineering projects
- Leading and motivating engineering teams
- Developing and maintaining engineering systems and processes
- Communicating technical information to non-technical stakeholders
- Negotiating contracts and agreements
- Managing budgets and resources
Education and Training
Engineering managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Some engineering managers also have a master’s degree in engineering management or business administration.
In addition to formal education, engineering managers need to have strong:
- Technical skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Business skills
Engineering managers can gain experience by working as engineers, project managers, or team leaders.
Career Path
Engineering managers can advance their careers by taking on more responsibility and leadership roles.
Some engineering managers eventually become executives or general managers.
The median annual salary for engineering managers is $105,590, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for engineering managers is expected to be good over the next decade.
The demand for engineering managers is expected to increase as businesses increasingly rely on technology to improve their operations.
Related Careers
Other careers that are related to engineering management include:
- Project managers
- Technical directors
- Engineering consultants
- Systems analysts
- Software engineers
- Computer scientists
Resources
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- American Society for Engineering Education
- Project Management Institute