Management
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Also called: Civil Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineering Manager, Engineering Director, Engineering Group Manager
US median pay
$171,270
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
14,900
220,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Review, recommend, or approve contracts or cost estimates.
- Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for engineering and technical work.
- Establish scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Time Management3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.5/5
- Service Orientation3.2/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.2/5
- Instructing3.2/5
Knowledge
- Design4.3/5
- Engineering and Technology4.3/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.9/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree46%
- Master's degree27%
- First professional degree12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.