Engineering Manager : your how-to career guide

Source: ZDnet – High-demand industries from logistics to energy actively recruit engineering management expertsAn engineering manager organizes and oversees engineering projects while coaching and leading teams of engineers. Other job tasks include recommending budgets and monitoring expenses, timetables, and production plans. Firms pay top dollar for professionals who’ve mastered the hard and people skills the role demands. At $149,530, the median annual salary for engineering managers is more than 3.5 times the national average. Read on to learn about life as an engineering manager, what skills they need, and whether the job is right for you.

A day in the life of an engineering manager

Engineering managers may work in industrial production plants, research laboratories, and office settings resolving regulatory issues. Industry professionals possess accounting, marketing, and computer science expertise. In this role, you’ll collaborate with contractors, stakeholders, and related managers in addition to managing personnel. Engineering managers perform an array of tasks and responsibilities. Here are several of the most common.

• Regulate budgets, resources, and technologies for projects
• Oversee, support, and assess engineering professionals’ performance
• Deliver feedback on strategic technical decisions and solutions
• Hire, coach, and develop new and seasoned engineering specialists

Lifestyle of an engineering manager

Many engineering managers are employed full-time and work at least 40 hours per week. Remote work opportunities are available. With budgets to juggle and deadlines to meet, managers should have excellent organizational and time-management skills.

While engineering management is fast-paced and may be stressful, it offers variety and opportunities for personal improvement with each new project. As the tech world evolves, engineering managers need continuing education and training to mentor engineers, provide code reviews, and offer relevant feedback on projects.

Salary expectations in engineering management roles

The median annual wage for engineering managers was $149,530 as of May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. High-paying industries include scientific research and development services, management of companies and enterprises, and manufacturing. The government and architectural, engineering, and related services also make the list. The next steps on the career ladder include director of engineering, chief engineer, and vice president of engineering.

What does it take to become an engineering manager?

Engineering management is a competitive occupation requiring advanced business, engineering and technology, and math and science skills. Earning one of these roles requires both specialized schooling and extensive experience. …