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What is an engineering program/project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Yi Yang PhD,
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an engineering program/project manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $46.87 an hour? That's $97,480 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 4,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an engineering program/project 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 Program/Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $97,480

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 11.74%

Black or African American 3.12%

Hispanic or Latino 8.92%

Unknown 4.68%

White 71.38%

Gender

female 13.23%

male 86.77%

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 program/project manager career paths

Key steps to become an engineering program/project manager

  1. Explore engineering program/project manager education requirements

    Most common engineering program/project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    74.3 %

    Master's

    17.7 %

    Associate

    5.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific engineering program/project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    R16.93%
    Product Development9.84%
    Program Management7.54%
    Project Management4.65%
    Product Design4.14%
  3. Complete relevant engineering program/project manager training and internships

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

    • Manage multiple projects as part of a corporate PMO including projects requiring international team coordination and multiple lines of business.
    • Create new opportunities and value for the company and successfully manage all geotechnical engineering matters including comprehensive report writing.
    • Lead post mortems to identify issues and capture best practices to include in PMO processes.
    • Play a key role in developing quality control system to support an eventual ISO 9000 certification.
  5. Prepare your engineering program/project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your engineering program/project 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 program/project 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 program/project manager resume templates

    Build a professional engineering program/project 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 program/project manager resume.
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
    Engineering Program/Project Manager Resume
  6. Apply for engineering program/project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an engineering program/project 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 program/project manager job

Zippi

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Average engineering program/project manager salary

The average engineering program/project manager salary in the United States is $97,480 per year or $47 per hour. Engineering program/project manager salaries range between $69,000 and $136,000 per year.

Average engineering program/project manager salary
$97,480 Yearly
$46.87 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do engineering program/project managers rate their job?

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Engineering program/project manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoy problem-solving and identifying a path to completing a complex project. I like to ensure that moving parts come together smoothly and communicating successes and celebrating with the team.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.


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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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