Process engineering manager vs process engineer

The differences between process engineering managers and process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a process engineering manager, becoming a process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a process engineering manager has an average salary of $124,640, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.

The top three skills for a process engineering manager include project management, sigma and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.

Process engineering manager vs process engineer overview

	Process Engineering Manager	Process Engineer
Yearly salary	$124,640	$82,443
Hourly rate	$59.92	$39.64
Growth rate	2%	10%
Number of jobs	87,396	66,937
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	48	42
Years of experience	-	4

What does a process engineering manager do?

A process engineering manager is responsible for evaluating the production and manufacturing processes and identify areas of improvement to enhance the quality of deliverables and maximize the staff's productivity. Process engineering managers develop cost-efficient techniques and resources that would meet the budget limitations and business requirements. They also handle the resolution for process failures and coordinate with the process engineers for immediate solutions to avoid its reoccurrence. A process engineering manager must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, especially in determining opportunities that would enhance efficiency and result in more outputs.

What does a process engineer do?

A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.

Process engineering manager vs process engineer salary

Process engineering managers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Process Engineering Manager	Process Engineer
Average salary	$124,640	$82,443
Salary range	Between $94,000 And $165,000	Between $62,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Rio Rancho, NM
Highest paying state	California	New Mexico
Best paying company	Emergent BioSolutions	Apple
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between process engineering manager and process engineer education

There are a few differences between a process engineering manager and a process engineer in terms of educational background:

	Process Engineering Manager	Process Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Chemical Engineering	Chemical Engineering
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Northwestern University

Process engineering manager vs process engineer demographics

Here are the differences between process engineering managers' and process engineers' demographics:

	Process Engineering Manager	Process Engineer
Average age	48	42
Gender ratio	Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3%	Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 12.7% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	4%

Differences between process engineering manager and process engineer duties and responsibilities

Process engineering manager example responsibilities.

Manage QA for research orient development efforts and for high visibility, production focuse development efforts tie to revenue generation.
Support FDA regulatory and ISO requirements with QA department through process engineering and support of CAPA program.
Pioneer SPC program including implementation of methodologies for corrective action.
Ensure water systems are OSHA compliant.
Implement plant wide remediation plan to comply with FDA requirements.
Design, contract fabrication and testing of OSHA compliant safety harness anchors.

Process engineer example responsibilities.

Lead KAIZEN projects to eliminate waste categories stemming from corrugation process.
Create and manage SharePoint sites for teams to collaborate on the work.
Lead and participate in KAIZEN events, IQ, OQ, PQ activities, set-up reduction techniques.
Lead a team, scheduling, resource planning, to create 120 catheters on schedule for a clinical trial.
Manage the operated and non-operate AFE process from implementation to cost allocation.
Obtain referrals, track hospitalized patients, interface with manage care intermediaries/medical personnel.

Process engineering manager vs process engineer skills

Common process engineering manager skills

Project Management, 9%
Sigma, 8%
Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Lean Six Sigma, 6%
R, 4%
Direct Reports, 3%

Common process engineer skills

Continuous Improvement, 8%
Sigma, 5%
Lean Manufacturing, 5%
Project Management, 5%
Troubleshoot, 4%
Lean Six Sigma, 3%

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Process Engineering Manager
Process Engineering Manager vs Process Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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