Architectural or Engineering Manager

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.

Architectural and engineering managers typically do the following:

• Make detailed plans to research and develop products, processes, or designs
• Determine staff, training, and equipment needs
• Propose budgets for projects and programs
• Hire and supervise staff
• Oversee research and development projects, including directing staff output and quality
• Coordinate work and collaborate with other staff and managers

Architectural and engineering managers held about 191,100 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of architectural and engineering managers were as follows:

Manufacturing	35%
Architectural, engineering, and related services	28
Government	9
Scientific research and development services	6
Management of companies and enterprises	5

Most architectural and engineering managers work in offices. Some work in settings such as research laboratories or industrial production plants. These managers may work in groups and supervise other staff members, such as architects and engineers. They are often under pressure to meet deadlines and budgets.

Work Schedules

Most architectural and engineering managers work full time. Working more than 40 hours a week is common, especially when meeting deadlines.

To enter the occupation, architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer.

Education

Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture.

Bachelor’s degree programs in architecture and engineering usually include coursework in mathematics and physical sciences. In addition, architecture programs may include courses such as architectural history and theory, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), and construction methods; these programs take about 5 years to complete. Engineering programs vary by concentration and often take about 4 years of classroom, laboratory, and field studies in engineering principles and systems. 

Architectural and engineering managers or prospective managers may complete a master’s degree in engineering management (MEM or MsEM), technology management (MSTM), or business administration (MBA). Some earn their master’s degree before entering a management position; others earn it while working as a manager. Typically, those who prefer to manage in technical areas pursue an MsEM or MSTM, and those interested in general management skills earn an MBA.

Engineering and technology management programs include courses such as accounting, marketing, and finance that focus on the particular field. Programs in engineering management also include coursework in supply chain management and product development. Programs in technology management include courses in information security and systems development.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Architectural and engineering managers typically do not need a license. However, these managers may advance from other occupations that do require licensure. For example, all states require architects to be licensed, and some engineers obtain a professional engineering (PE) license. Contact your state licensing board for more information.

Some managers choose to earn certification. For example, certification in technology management is available from the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Architectural and engineering managers typically advance to their positions after years of experience as an architect or engineer. In those positions, they may have worked on complex projects, developed designs, solved problems, and led teams.

Architectural and engineering managers typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Persuading interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people.

If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Persuading interest which might fit with a career as an architectural and engineering manager, you can take a career test to measure your interests.

Architectural and engineering managers should also possess the following specific qualities:

Analytical skills. Architectural and engineering managers must evaluate information carefully and be able to solve complex problems.

Communication skills. Architectural and engineering managers oversee staff and confer with other levels of management. They must communicate orders effectively and be able to lead teams to meet goals. 

Detail oriented. Architectural and engineering managers must pay attention to detail. Their duties require an understanding of complex systems, and a minor error can cause major problems.

Math skills. Architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other advanced mathematics to develop new products and processes.

Organizational skills. Architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets all at once.

Technical skills. Managers in these fields must thoroughly understand the specific area (architecture or a particular type of engineering) that they are managing.

The median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $152,350 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $99,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for architectural and engineering managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Scientific research and development services	$187,240
Management of companies and enterprises	164,060
Manufacturing	151,890
Architectural, engineering, and related services	151,870
Government	135,150

Most architectural and engineering managers work full time. Working more than 40 hours a week is common, especially when meeting deadlines.

Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 14,000 openings for architectural and engineering managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. 

Employment

Employment growth will largely reflect the growth of the industries in which these managers are employed. Demand for civil engineering services is expected to continue as the nation’s aging infrastructure requires expansion and repair. Mechanical and electrical engineering services should also be needed for projects such as wind turbine farms and other renewable energy construction and design.

For information on architecture and engineering management programs, visit

ABET

American Institute of Architects

Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering

 

 

Where does this information come from?

The career information above is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database.

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I am not sure if this career is right for me. How can I decide?

There are many excellent tools available that will allow you to measure your interests, profile your personality, and match these traits with appropriate careers. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz.