Mechanical engineering manager vs engineering program manager

The differences between mechanical engineering managers and engineering program 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 an engineering program manager. Additionally, an engineering program manager has an average salary of $122,604, 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 an engineering program manager are project management, program management, and software development.

Mechanical engineering manager vs engineering program manager overview

	Mechanical Engineering Manager	Engineering Program Manager
Yearly salary	$116,922	$122,604
Hourly rate	$56.21	$58.94
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	74,789	148,543
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

What does a mechanical engineering manager do?

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.

What does an engineering program manager do?

As an engineering program manager in the world of technology, it is their main responsibility to lead the development of important modules of new technology such as display, camera, touch ID, etc. It is their job to ensure that modules are correctly built according to specifications and given timeline. They drive day-to-day engineering related activities at the vendor's factory to meet overall program ideas. They are knowledgeable of the hardware process development and other features like display or camera design.

Mechanical engineering manager vs engineering program manager salary

Mechanical engineering managers and engineering program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mechanical Engineering Manager	Engineering Program Manager
Average salary	$116,922	$122,604
Salary range	Between $82,000 And $165,000	Between $95,000 And $157,000
Highest paying City	Mountain View, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Meta	Meta
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between mechanical engineering manager and engineering program manager education

There are a few differences between a mechanical engineering manager and an engineering program manager in terms of educational background:

	Mechanical Engineering Manager	Engineering Program Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Mechanical engineering manager vs engineering program manager demographics

Here are the differences between mechanical engineering managers' and engineering program managers' demographics:

	Mechanical Engineering Manager	Engineering Program Manager
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%	Male, 83.5% Female, 16.5%
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, 3.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.0% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between mechanical engineering manager and engineering program manager duties and responsibilities

Mechanical engineering manager example 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.
Engineer and/or design and/or value engineer (redesign) new and/or existing HVAC systems for commercial and/or industrial applications.
Select HVAC equipment such as boilers, chillers, cooling towers, air handling units and roof top units.

Engineering program manager example responsibilities.

Manage & assist component qualification through PPAP approval process.
Manage prototyping, optics, and tooling for Harley-Davidson aftermarket turn signal and brake lenses.
Manage several projects simultaneously, with excellent track record for ensuring team on-time IP delivery.
Manage committees and task forces ensuring synchronization of CNC training and skills need to promote successful CNC careers.
Work closely with PMO to understand product portfolio needs and manage internal and external resources to meet those goals.
Lead IPT meetings to provide status, address programmatic and customer concerns, assign priorities, assess risk and identifyopportunities.

Mechanical engineering manager vs engineering program manager skills

Common mechanical engineering manager skills

CAD, 9%
Mechanical Design, 8%
Solidworks, 7%
Project Management, 6%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Mechanical Systems, 4%

Common engineering program manager skills

Project Management, 15%
Program Management, 14%
Software Development, 6%
Scrum, 4%
Risk Management, 3%
Continuous Improvement, 3%

Mechanical Engineering Manager vs. similar jobs

Mechanical Engineering Manager related careers

Mechanical Engineering Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Mechanical Engineering Manager
Mechanical Engineering Manager vs Engineering Program Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs