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The differences between mechanical engineering managers and design engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes More than 10 years to become both a mechanical engineering manager and a design engineering manager. Additionally, a design engineering manager has an average salary of $143,603, which is higher than the $116,922 average annual salary of a mechanical engineering manager.
The top three skills for a mechanical engineering manager include CAD, mechanical design and solidworks. The most important skills for a design engineering manager are CAD, project management, and aided design.
| Mechanical Engineering Manager | Design Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $116,922 | $143,603 |
| Hourly rate | $56.21 | $69.04 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 74,789 | 102,491 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A mechanical engineering manager is responsible for leading the mechanical projects and processes of an organization to ensure high-quality deliverables according to business requirements and specifications. Mechanical engineering managers inspect the tools and equipment and coordinate with trusted suppliers for low-cost reduction materials and control installations. They also resolve mechanical issues and determine the best management techniques to prevent downtimes and operational delays. A mechanical engineering manager must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, especially in analyzing blueprints and schematics to secure components.
A design engineering manager is in charge of overseeing engineering projects and managing a team of design engineers, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to ensure that projects adhere to the budgets and schedules, set objectives and guidelines, organize staff schedules, liaise with external parties such as vendors and suppliers, and develop designs according to the project's needs and the clients' preferences. They must also handle issues and concerns, resolving them in a prompt and efficient manner.
Mechanical engineering managers and design engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Engineering Manager | Design Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $116,922 | $143,603 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $165,000 | Between $104,000 And $197,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Construction |
There are a few differences between a mechanical engineering manager and a design engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Engineering Manager | Design Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between mechanical engineering managers' and design engineering managers' demographics:
| Mechanical Engineering Manager | Design Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 12.9% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.1% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |