What does an engineering program manager do?
As an engineering program manager in the world of technology, it is their main responsibility to lead the development of important modules of new technology such as display, camera, touch ID, etc. It is their job to ensure that modules are correctly built according to specifications and given timeline. They drive day-to-day engineering related activities at the vendor's factory to meet overall program ideas. They are knowledgeable of the hardware process development and other features like display or camera design.
Engineering program manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineering program manager resumes:
- Manage & assist component qualification through PPAP approval process.
- Manage prototyping, optics, and tooling for Harley-Davidson aftermarket turn signal and brake lenses.
- Manage several projects simultaneously, with excellent track record for ensuring team on-time IP delivery.
- Manage committees and task forces ensuring synchronization of CNC training and skills need to promote successful CNC careers.
- Work closely with PMO to understand product portfolio needs and manage internal and external resources to meet those goals.
- Lead IPT meetings to provide status, address programmatic and customer concerns, assign priorities, assess risk and identifyopportunities.
- Transition product development from waterfall to agile scrum methodology.
- Ensure all changes are implemented and cad releases are updated to the latest level.
- Engage with IP vendors and negotiate a contract to complete a high speed SerDes IP.
- Improve bug triage and scrum processes by implementing new processes and prioritization with executive level management.
- Recruit and oversee selection of faculty members authorize to instruct CNC subjects for certifications and diploma modules.
- Direct all design reviews and activities in the areas of RF design, software design and digital layout.
- Create game-changing technology by fusing hardware, software, mechanical, RF and systems engineers with microbiologists and chemists.
- Plan, direct and monitor operational and tactical activities of direct reports; mentor extend members of the PMO team.
- Analyze effects of new design, including require work by new vendor or new processes, as well as overall logistics.
Engineering program manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Engineering Program Managers are proficient in Project Management, Program Management, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Engineering Program Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 15%
Transform team to use agile practices for project management Accomplishments Led Development and delivery of Resilient Engineering Bronze Certification program.
- Program Management, 14%
Increased responsibilities with International marketing coupled with complete Program Management of expanding Korean business accounts for entire product mix.
- Software Development, 6%
Program Manager for the software development organization of Tailored Access Operations, Signal Intelligence Directorate, National Security Agency.
- Scrum, 4%
Facilitated Scrum of Scrums and resolved impediments.
- Risk Management, 3%
Developed and implemented risk management training curriculum to deliver hands-on training to new sailors on identifying and eliminating workplace hazards.
- Continuous Improvement, 3%
Implemented and refined manufacturing engineering processes by applying continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles to all areas of production.
Most engineering program managers use their skills in "project management," "program management," and "software development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential engineering program manager responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an engineering program manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what engineering program managers do because "architectural and engineering managers evaluate information to solve problems." Additionally, an engineering program manager resume shows how engineering program managers use analytical skills: "provide all necessary data for tracking, planning and program evaluation to ensure data accuracy in program management tool"
Communication skills. Many engineering program manager duties rely on communication skills. "architectural and engineering managers must effectively convey information and expectations related to projects.," so an engineering program manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways engineering program manager responsibilities rely on communication skills: "performed program management for customers including the boeing company, raytheon, l-3 communications and chesapeake sciences. "
Organizational skills. engineering program manager responsibilities often require "organizational skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets simultaneously." This resume example shows what engineering program managers do with organizational skills on a typical day: "developed new organizational structure to improve communications and project management practices by way of cross-functional teams. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for engineering program manager responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of engineering program managers all the time, as "architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other mathematics to develop new products and processes." An excerpt from a real engineering program manager resume shows how this skill is central to what an engineering program manager does: "used 3d cad, magnetic fea, mathematical modeling, flux and gaussmeters to optimize performance and determine best application solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most engineering program managers are:
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Compare different engineering program managers
Engineering program manager vs. Research and development director
A research and development director spearheads and oversees the research and development initiatives and projects in a company. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, establish timelines and budgets, direct and manage different departments, liaise with internal and external parties, gather and analyze data to implement solutions against problem areas, and utilize expertise in developing strategies to optimize company operations. Moreover, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while promoting the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between engineering program managers and research and development director. For instance, engineering program manager responsibilities require skills such as "program management," "team coordination," "scrum," and "risk management." Whereas a research and development director is skilled in "fda," "oversight," "strategic direction," and "due diligence." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Research and development directors tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $167,250. In contrast, engineering program managers make the biggest average salary, $127,984, in the technology industry.On average, research and development directors reach similar levels of education than engineering program managers. Research and development directors are 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 11.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Engineering program manager vs. Research and development manager
A research and development manager is responsible for supervising project development procedures to support business operations and identify business opportunities that would pave the way for more revenue resources and profits. Research and development managers monitor the production plans from the conceptualization to the final outputs, inspecting inconsistencies and flaws in every phase and revising strategies as needed to achieve the required specifications and requirements. They delegate tasks to the staff, oversee progress, and conduct research and development programs to maximize productivity and team efforts.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real engineering program manager resumes. While engineering program manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "program management," "software development," "team coordination," and "scrum," research and development managers use skills like "customer service," "patients," "c++," and "c #."
On average, research and development managers earn a lower salary than engineering program managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, research and development managers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $143,083. Whereas engineering program managers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $127,984.research and development managers earn similar levels of education than engineering program managers in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 11.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Engineering program manager vs. Vice president of engineering
A Vice President Of Engineering manages all aspects of the company's engineering product development activities. They are responsible for strategic planning, production designing, quality assurance, and problem resolution.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, engineering program managers are more likely to have skills like "team coordination," "risk management," "continuous improvement," and "technical program management." But a vice president of engineering is more likely to have skills like "architecture," "cloud," "infrastructure," and "python."
Vice presidents of engineering make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $141,200. On the other hand, engineering program managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $127,984.When it comes to education, vice presidents of engineering tend to earn similar degree levels compared to engineering program managers. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Engineering program manager vs. Manager, systems engineering
A systems engineering manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of the company's technology systems and network infrastructure. System engineering managers inspect the output deliverables of computer systems, identifying process improvement techniques to improve optimal performance and maintain high-quality results. They handle the department's budget and allocate adequate resources to support project management operations and requirements. A systems engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, handling technical complexities, and configuring system management tools.
Types of engineering program manager
Updated January 8, 2025
