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What is a product engineering manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Yi Yang PhD,
Steven Fernandez
introduction image

Product engineering is the process of designing and producing a device. A product engineering manager, therefore, is the one who coordinates all the production processes, from designing to assembling to the actual production process.

Their responsibility is to review new product designs, analyze the cost implications, and oversee every requirement for the product to be made. After meeting the requirements, they then approve production. Every part of the production process is handled by the product engineering manager, as they verify every aspect. By implication, no technical work is executed without their lead.

A product engineering manager must possess a degree in engineering and years of experience as a product engineer before they can qualify to be a product engineering manager. Other skills they should have include strong leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills

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

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.
ScoreProduct Engineering ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.3

Avg. Salary $125,592

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 14.76%

Black or African American 2.95%

Hispanic or Latino 8.30%

Unknown 4.58%

White 69.26%

Gender

female 8.28%

male 91.72%

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

Product engineering manager career paths

Key steps to become a product engineering manager

  1. Explore product engineering manager education requirements

    Most common product engineering manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.1 %

    Master's

    19.6 %

    Associate

    7.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific product engineering manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management7.46%
    Product Management7.18%
    Product Engineering6.92%
    Product Line5.08%
    Java4.84%
  3. Complete relevant product engineering manager training and internships

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

    • Design, build and manage the ParagusIT OpenStack base private cloud.
    • Lead global engineering team in pursuit of major European OEM's medium and heavy-duty axle business.
    • Manage and coordinate communication with SME teams during disasters.
    • Manage outsourced/contract vendors and suppliers including HVAC, elevators, electrical and mechanical systems.
  5. Prepare your product engineering manager resume

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

    Build a professional product 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 product engineering manager resume.
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
    Product Engineering Manager Resume
  6. Apply for product engineering manager jobs

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

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Average product engineering manager salary

The average product engineering manager salary in the United States is $125,592 per year or $60 per hour. Product engineering manager salaries range between $90,000 and $174,000 per year.

Average product engineering manager salary
$125,592 Yearly
$60.38 hourly

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How do product engineering managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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Product engineering manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Able to see ideation to fruition and achieve success together as a team.

Cons

If company is not supportive of new technology advancement.


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


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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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