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What is a mechanical engineering manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Marco Schoen Ph.D.,
Steven Fernandez

A mechanical engineering manager is a specialist in charge of directing the mechanical operations and projects of a company. This is to make sure high-standard products are in adherence to the enterprise prerequisite and specifications. Your job role is to examine equipment and appliances and work together with reliable dealers. This is done to secure materials at low prices and ensure they are fit for the installation. As a mechanical engineering manager, you will have to settle mechanical challenges and decide on the best operations management methods. Furthermore, you may have to employ engineers if required as well as manage engineering equipment and their upgrade. You will also have to organize mechanical engineering workers to ensure they are functioning consistently.

To qualify for this job, you must have at least a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. Nonetheless, you can get this job with just a GED or a high school degree. Also, you must always pay attention to details as well as possess great analytical and interactive skills. Additionally, you must have problem-solving skills. In the United States, a mechanical engineering manager earns an annual average salary of $105,950 or $50.94 an hour.

What general advice would you give to a mechanical engineering manager?

Marco Schoen Ph.D.Marco Schoen Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Measurement and Control Engineering Research Center (MCERC), Idaho State University

Stay current. Engineering evolves continuously; new tools, new technologies, and new areas where engineers can contribute, learn, and work. When graduating, students have the feeling they are set for their careers. However, this is not true; they might be set to start their careers. To be consistently successful in their pages, they need to stay informed and updated.
ScoreMechanical Engineering ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.0

Avg. Salary $116,922

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 12.88%

Black or African American 3.00%

Hispanic or Latino 8.48%

Unknown 4.61%

White 70.87%

Gender

female 5.43%

male 94.57%

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

Mechanical engineering manager career paths

Key steps to become a mechanical engineering manager

  1. Explore mechanical engineering manager education requirements

    Most common mechanical engineering manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    74.3 %

    Master's

    13.5 %

    Associate

    9.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific mechanical engineering manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CAD8.55%
    Mechanical Design8.48%
    Solidworks6.60%
    Project Management6.10%
    Continuous Improvement6.05%
  3. Complete relevant mechanical engineering manager training and internships

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

    • Coordinate and manage prototype development and validation testing.
    • Manage QA for research orient development efforts and for high visibility, production focuse development efforts tie to revenue generation.
    • Work with the in-house UL and compliance engineers, ESD engineers, and the shock/vibration engineers.
    • Design various hand-held and permanently mount RF instruments for use in RF broadcast and transmission installations.
  5. Prepare your mechanical engineering manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your mechanical engineering 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 a mechanical engineering 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 mechanical engineering manager resume templates

    Build a professional mechanical engineering 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 mechanical engineering manager resume.
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
    Mechanical Engineering Manager Resume
  6. Apply for mechanical engineering manager jobs

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

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Average mechanical engineering manager salary

The average mechanical engineering manager salary in the United States is $116,922 per year or $56 per hour. Mechanical engineering manager salaries range between $82,000 and $165,000 per year.

Average mechanical engineering manager salary
$116,922 Yearly
$56.21 hourly

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How do mechanical engineering managers rate their job?

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Mechanical engineering manager reviews

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


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

The logic and precision required as well as the ability to create something

Cons

The amount of time spent in the office


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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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