What does a head engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025

8 min read

Quoted expert

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

A head engineer drives the vision, design, and strategy of their company. It is the head engineer's task to bring concepts devised by the client or owner of a company into reality. They must have both creativity and a solid foundation in engineering to draft plans that are sound both on the blueprint and real life. They are responsible for handling all engineers on a project, conducting a regular evaluation of all plans, and designing and brainstorming new concepts to solve problems.

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Head engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real head engineer resumes:

Manage team, write backend for recommendation system in Java and Perl using RESTlet framework.
Lead a team of over 8 Unix administrators in Tokyo responsible for engineering infrastructure solutions within the UBS/SBC Tokyo merger program.
Support DOD agency needs in accomplishing engineer technical and non-technical goals associate with wireless LAN technology products.
Supervise the operation and maintenance of the shipboard HVAC system.
Participate in the on going design of the java code and platform.
Design & implement a robust analytics API for futures and derivatives markets.
Implement SEO standards & best practices for new website development and social media campaigns.
Repair and maintain all HVAC equipment, and supervise a maintenance and engineering staff.
Design and implement all the required systems, from hardware planning/development, database design, system implementation.
Support social strategy and execute campaigns in all major markets with direct impact on strategic SEO efforts.
Implement short term contract hires for cyclical work while also responsible for department processes and procedures as recognized by ISO.
Maintain require power plant and chemistry logs, efficiency reports, utility usage reports, CMMS and control department budgets.
Used various API technologies like IB API to price synthetic assets, submit orders, and transfer and display execution data.
Team perform extensive testing including front-end, database, system, performance, load, application deployment/fallback and system scratch installation.
Repair and maintenance of broadcast transmitters, studio equipment, digital audio automation systems with networking, STL systems, etc.

Head engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Head Engineers are proficient in Cloud, Java, and AWS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Head Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Cloud, 12%
Head of Cloud Engineering for Goldfish, a Target Innovation Company.
Java, 10%
Introduced a Java web services based middle tier using Hibernate and Spring framework.
AWS, 9%
Streamline and maintain the infrastructure on AWS using Chef, Puppet and Vagrant for dev environments.
Software Development, 7%
Head of Engineering Projects for IT systems, Data Centers and software development.
Project Management, 4%
Coordinated and attended meetings with the project management and main contractor for proper scheduling and co-ordination of construction.
C++, 4%
Designed, developed and coded a highly complex algorithm for controlling laser uniformity using MS Visual C++.

"cloud," "java," and "aws" are among the most common skills that head engineers use at work. You can find even more head engineer responsibilities below, including:

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a head engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what head engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a head engineer resume shows how head engineers use creativity: "machine parts inventory and preventive maintenance. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling head engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." According to a head engineer resume, here's how head engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated and interacted with project management, manufacturing, and purchasing departments achieving cost savings and improved scheduling. "

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of head engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday head engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "control all math models from and to oem customers. "

Mechanical skills. A big part of what head engineers do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to head engineer responsibilities because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical head engineer tasks: "handled all levels of electronic preventive maintenance; performed control systems support and repair for electro-mechanical equipment on remote customer sites. "

Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a head engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what head engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to head engineer duties can be seen in an example from a head engineer resume snippet: "consolidated enterprise databases - from multivendor database solutions (oracle, sybase). "

All head engineer skills

The three companies that hire the most head engineers are:

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Head engineer vs. Senior field service engineer

Senior Field Service Engineers are responsible for the installation, repair, and maintenance of equipment. Their duties include installing equipment that complies with technical specifications, coordinating preventative maintenance, calibrating tools, test equipment, manage the contract tendering process, and conduct field modifications. They also assist in the ordering of repair parts as well as organizing service records and customer logs. Senior Filed Service Engineers works to ensure that work deliverable adheres to all regulatory requirements and health and safety protocols.

If we compare the average head engineer annual salary with that of a senior field service engineer, we find that senior field service engineers typically earn a $56,438 lower salary than head engineers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between head engineers and senior field service engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like project management, r, and iso.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between head engineers and senior field service engineer. For instance, head engineer responsibilities require skills such as "cloud," "java," "aws," and "software development." Whereas a senior field service engineer is skilled in "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "technical support," and "customer sites." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Senior field service engineers tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $91,386. In contrast, head engineers make the biggest average salary, $103,036, in the government industry.The education levels that senior field service engineers earn slightly differ from head engineers. In particular, senior field service engineers are 11.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a head engineer. Additionally, they're 3.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Head engineer vs. Senior project engineer

A senior project engineer is responsible for monitoring the project team's overall process and operations from conceptualization until completion, ensuring the adherence to the clients' specifications, within the budget's goals, and the required deadline. Senior project engineers regularly communicate with the client regarding updates or necessary adjustments. They develop strategic procedures to finish the project efficiently by running diagnostic tests and troubleshooting discrepancies. A senior project engineer must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the team's performance and provide assistance when necessary.

A career as a senior project engineer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a head engineer. In fact, senior project engineers salary is $46,049 lower than the salary of head engineers per year.A few skills overlap for head engineers and senior project engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "project management," "c++," and "product development. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that head engineer responsibilities requires skills like "cloud," "java," "aws," and "software development." But a senior project engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "construction management," "cad," "ul," and "engineering design."

On average, senior project engineers earn a lower salary than head engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior project engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $104,214. Whereas head engineers have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $103,036.senior project engineers earn similar levels of education than head engineers in general. They're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for head engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Virtual/augmented reality will play an increasingly important role in visualizing designs and interacting with them.

Head engineer vs. Consulting engineer

A consulting engineer is an individual who aids in the planning, designing, and construction of a project from the public and private clients. Consulting engineers are required to advise on the best component suitable according to the needs of their clients. They can manage the project by coordinating with designers, architects, and relevant persons who have commissioned the project. They may incorporate green sustainable energy solutions based on the demands of their clients. Consulting engineers must also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the estimated cost for the project.

An average consulting engineer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of head engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to consulting engineers earning a $46,106 lower average salary than head engineers.By looking over several head engineers and consulting engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "java," "project management," and "c++." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from head engineer resumes include skills like "cloud," "aws," "software development," and "hr," whereas a consulting engineer is more likely to list skills in "working independently," "c #," "azure," and "pre sales. "

Consulting engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $99,126. On the other hand, head engineers are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $103,036.consulting engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to head engineers. Specifically, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Head engineer vs. Senior mechanical engineer

A senior mechanical engineer is responsible for designing and improving mechanical equipment, as well as industrial devices and machinery. Senior mechanical engineers verify the materials and resources, ensuring that the processes meet the budget goals from clients' specifications and requirements. They also monitor the manufacturing process, developing strategic procedures for operations improvement, and maximizing staff productivity. A senior mechanical engineer runs multiple diagnostic tests to guarantee the stability and efficiency of the item and coordinating with the client for any plan adjustments as needed.

Senior mechanical engineers average a lower salary than the annual salary of head engineers. The difference is about $40,016 per year.While their salaries may vary, head engineers and senior mechanical engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "project management," "api," and "product development. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "cloud," "java," "aws," and "software development" are skills that commonly show up on head engineer resumes. On the other hand, senior mechanical engineers use skills like mechanical engineering, cad, mechanical design, and mechanical systems on their resumes.The energy industry tends to pay the highest salaries for senior mechanical engineers, with average annual pay of $105,778. Comparatively, the highest head engineer annual salary comes from the government industry.senior mechanical engineers reach similar levels of education compared to head engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of head engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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