How long does it take to become an engineering manager?

To become an engineering manager takes 5 to 8 years. This time includes both educational requirements and work experience. Most engineering managers come from an engineering background and then work their way up into a managerial role.

Is an engineering manager an engineer?

Yes, an engineering manager is an engineer in most cases. While formal education in engineering is not necessarily an industry standard, in many cases, employers seek out engineering managers who have a strong foundation in engineering.

What is an engineering manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Asad Salem Ph.D,

Steven Fernandez

An engineering manager leads a team of engineers in designing and developing products, systems, or services. They are responsible for managing the entire engineering project from start to finish, ensuring that the team delivers quality work on time and within budget. They also collaborate with other departments to ensure the project meets business objectives and customer needs. They guide and mentor their team while making critical resource allocation, project scope, and risk management decisions.

What general advice would you give to an Engineering Manager?

Asad Salem Ph.D

J.H. Fletcher Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Website

To optimize your engineering salary potential, meticulously delve into industry salary benchmarks. Beyond excelling in your academic pursuits, acquire hands-on experience through research, internships, or co-op opportunities. Exhibit relevant skills and project accomplishments, consider pursuing advanced areas of expertise or certifications, and approach job offers with confidence during negotiations. Moreover, augment this strategy by actively engaging in networking, staying attuned to market inclinations, and showcasing a willingness to take on demanding projects. By emphasizing your dedication and proactively contributing, you can fortify your commitment and bolster your long-term earnings prospects in the dynamic field of engineering.

ScoreEngineering ManagerUS Average

Salary

8.6

Avg. Salary $139,328

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.4

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 12.24%

Black or African American 3.09%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.67%

White 71.03%

Gender

female 7.43%

male 92.57%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress Level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Engineering Manager?

Pros

High earning potential
Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Ability to lead and mentor a team
Opportunity to work on complex and exciting projects
Ability to make strategic decisions that impact the direction of the company

Cons

Long hours and demanding workloads
Need for effective communication skills with team members, stakeholders, and executives
High expectations for technical knowledge, leadership, and problem-solving abilities
Can be difficult to balance technical knowledge with business needs and goals
Need for continuous learning and staying up-to-date with industry trends and technologies

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Key steps to become an engineering manager

Explore engineering manager education requirements

Most common engineering manager degrees

Bachelor's

68.9 %

Master's

16.3 %

Associate

10.1 %

Start to develop specific engineering manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Java	10.81%
Project Management	7.07%
Continuous Improvement	6.13%
Software Development	4.13%
C++	4.12%

Complete relevant engineering manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New engineering managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an engineering manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real engineering manager resumes.

Research engineering manager duties and responsibilities

Lead design and manage development of voice-processing system's SNMP device agent and Java management application.
Manage multiple teams of UNIX engineers and software developers.
Achieve the highest ROI of any of the company's online or offline marketing channels.
Manage geotechnical, environmental, and survey consultants in connection with due diligence for new stores.

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