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What is an engineering operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Yi Yang PhD,
Steven Fernandez
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Engineering operations managers oversee electrical or mechanical maintenance and repair activities and also supervise all engineering operations in the workhouse. As an engineering operation manager, you will coordinate and supervise engineers, contractors, and subcontractors in carrying out projects and other daily activities. You are also in charge of developing new project ideas, budgeting for projects, and training for your engineering team. As you would be managing multiple teams, you will supervise their work progress to ensure they all meet up deadlines and also make sure all activities are carried out according to the safety rules.

As an engineering operations manager, you should have sound communication skills and be detail-oriented. You also need to have good analytical, technical, and project management skills. Most engineering operations managers have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related course. You will earn an average of $116,197 per year.

What general advice would you give to an engineering operations manager?

Yi Yang PhDYi Yang PhD LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Abington

For new graduates beginning their careers in engineering, I would advise them to consider the broader impact of their work and look for opportunities to expand their management potential. While engineering is a highly technical field, it's important to recognize the value of leadership roles in preserving a culture of innovation. By taking on these positions, you can help ensure that companies prioritize long-term innovation over short-term gains (cutting R&D to boost the balance sheet), thus preserving the engineering culture that drives meaningful progress.
ScoreEngineering Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.2

Avg. Salary $122,682

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 11.69%

Black or African American 3.15%

Hispanic or Latino 9.07%

Unknown 4.70%

White 71.22%

Gender

female 8.70%

male 91.30%

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

Engineering operations manager career paths

Key steps to become an engineering operations manager

  1. Explore engineering operations manager education requirements

    Most common engineering operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.7 %

    Master's

    14.0 %

    Associate

    12.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific engineering operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management14.26%
    Engineering Operations12.37%
    QA12.24%
    Linux8.39%
    HVAC6.27%
  3. Complete relevant engineering operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New engineering operations 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 operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real engineering operations manager resumes.
  4. Research engineering operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead a cross-functional team as directed by Sr.
    • Analyze team metrics to ensure SLA's achieve and identify problem areas that need improvement.
    • Lead quality department to improve internal audits, ISO, no majors or minors are identified.
    • Manage facilities build and improvement projects relating to safety and fire compliance issues for licensing and OSHA.
  5. Prepare your engineering operations manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your engineering operations manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an engineering operations manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable engineering operations manager resume templates

    Build a professional engineering operations manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your engineering operations manager resume.
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
    Engineering Operations Manager Resume
  6. Apply for engineering operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an engineering operations manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first engineering operations manager job

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Average engineering operations manager salary

The average engineering operations manager salary in the United States is $122,682 per year or $59 per hour. Engineering operations manager salaries range between $94,000 and $159,000 per year.

Average engineering operations manager salary
$122,682 Yearly
$58.98 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do engineering operations managers rate their job?

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Engineering operations manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

Un cleared management system

Pros

To maximize company's productivity,reducing wastes, avoiding un necessary costs,setting the proper work flow


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Being able to solve technical problems and manage staff for work

Cons

Less pay and not being able to freely speak what's on my mind


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Solving problems with the utmost educated confidence

Cons

Indecisive colleagues and related problems because if their lack of ability and skills


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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