Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

Also called: Civil Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineering Manager, Engineering Director, Engineering Group Manager, Engineering Program Manager, Mechanical Engineering Manager, Process Engineering Manager, Project Engineering Manager, Project Manager, Architect Manager, Architectural Project Manager, Civil Project Manager (Civil PM), Data Engineering Director, Data Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineering Director, Electrical Project Manager (Electrical PM), Electronics Engineering Manager, Engineering Design Manager, Engineering Project Manager, Engineering Project Specialist, Engineering Research Manager, Engineering Supervisor, Environmental Engineering Manager, Global Engineering Manager, Mechanical Engineering Director, Mechanical Project Manager (MPM), Product Development Director, Project Coordinator, Prototype Engineer Manager, Research and Development Manager (R&D Manager), Research Development Manager, Research Manager, Transmitter Engineer-in-Charge

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Complex Problem Solving
Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Monitoring
Coordination

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (45.52% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. 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).

O*NET Job Zone 5: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

139,360–212,500 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 11-9041.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Suggested development: build experience in safety leadership, staff development, budgeting, and continuous improvement before seeking responsibility for a larger department or plant.
Possible next steps include broader operations or multi-site leadership; vacancies, qualifications, and advancement are employer-specific, not guaranteed.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (45.52% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. 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).
O*NET Job Zone 5: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Architectural and Engineering Managers