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What is a manager, hardware engineering and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Yi Yang PhD
introduction image

Hardware engineering managers oversee all activities related to hardware engineering within an organization. They supervise various ongoing hardware engineering projects, making sure they align with the overall objectives of the company. They are responsible for managing the timelines and budgets of hardware engineering projects, guaranteeing all processes of their department respect company policies.

Working in this position, you will not only oversee the design and production processes of hardware but also approve of quality assurance testing standards and procedures and review finished products. You will write reports on the initiatives, processes, and results of your activities to present to the supervising manager. Depending on the size and organizational structure of your company, you might have subordinate managers working for you as well.

A bachelor's degree in the appropriate specialization of engineering is typically required to fill this role. You will need experience in managerial roles as well. Apart from coordinating the work of your team, you might also be entrusted with advising on strategic decisions of company operations, so you will need a strong and comprehensive grasp of company procedures and the contribution of various departments. Once you rise to this position, your expertise will be rewarded with salaries averaging around $143,000 per year.

What general advice would you give to a manager, hardware engineering?

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.
ScoreManager, Hardware EngineeringUS Average
Salary
8.9

Avg. Salary $148,792

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.8

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 29.80%

Black or African American 7.07%

Hispanic or Latino 9.33%

Unknown 2.85%

White 50.52%

Gender

female 7.75%

male 92.25%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Stress level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Manager, hardware engineering career paths

Key steps to become a manager, hardware engineering

  1. Explore manager, hardware engineering education requirements

    Most common manager, hardware engineering degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.3 %

    Master's

    21.6 %

    Associate

    6.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific manager, hardware engineering skills

    SkillsPercentages
    RF12.14%
    Hardware Engineering7.67%
    Hardware Development6.03%
    Project Management4.73%
    Firmware4.59%
  3. Complete relevant manager, hardware engineering training and internships

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

    • Manage the development of a LabVIEW driver for the multi-axis motion controller.
    • Manage outside consulting firms and engineers for circuit design, PCB design, software drivers, and prototype production.
    • Lead the hardware engineering department consisting of system design, FPGA design, and diagnostics, mechanical and manufacturing engineers.
    • Participate in the negotiation of a new ATM vendor contract and subsequently manage the project to convert to a new platform.
  5. Prepare your manager, hardware engineering resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manager, hardware engineering 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 a manager, hardware engineering resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable manager, hardware engineering resume templates

    Build a professional manager, hardware engineering 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 manager, hardware engineering resume.
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
    Manager, Hardware Engineering Resume
  6. Apply for manager, hardware engineering jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a manager, hardware engineering 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 manager, hardware engineering job

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Average manager, hardware engineering salary

The average manager, hardware engineering salary in the United States is $148,792 per year or $72 per hour. Manager, hardware engineering salaries range between $111,000 and $198,000 per year.

Average manager, hardware engineering salary
$148,792 Yearly
$71.53 hourly

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Manager, hardware engineering reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Hardware Design Engineer's are few intellectuals in a company who has exposure to all the aspects of product life cycle. It needs versatile knowledge of all most of the things. I feel passionate dealing with electronics components and analyzing them. It is a flexible job. It is a Real time job.

Cons

At times software development team questions on hardware design without looking the code running the stuff irritates Must have some knowledge of coding as well


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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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