What does a product engineering manager do?
A product engineering manager is primarily in charge of overseeing the development of products and procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. In a manufacturing setting, their responsibilities include setting objectives, managing the budgets and schedules, coordinating engineers and specialists, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and developing strategies to optimize procedures. They must also monitor the progress of processes, resolving any issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a product engineering manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Product engineering manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real product engineering manager resumes:
- 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.
- Manage a group of engineers that design semi-custom commercial / industrial HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
- Participate and lead multiple Kaizen events, including facility layout, productivity, system integration and setup reductions.
- Architect and build the portal using MySQL, Java, JSP, AJAX.
- Implement EPDM integration with ERP systems.
- Purchase new computers & servers for cad use.
- Train and mentore test engineers in operational use of DoD software product under test.
- Help also design database structure and schema for all of these projects, which used back-end SQL databases.
- Establish new team, set up development, release and QA processes moving the team to the next level.
- Implement cost savings via test time reduction, test methodology improvements, WAT correlation/yield improvement and IP pricing negotiations.
- Prevent defects by reviewing marketing requirements, technical design, QA test plans, software code, and technical publications.
- Lead scrum teams, coordinating work flow and prioritizing and defining and delegating tasks; support scrum team development sprints.
Product engineering manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Product Engineering Managers are proficient in Project Management, Product Management, and Product Engineering. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Product Engineering Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 7%
Managed a global team responsible for project management, application engineering, product engineering, process engineering, and materials engineering.
- Product Management, 7%
Performed project/product management, design, engineering and testing; managed material suppliers, injection molder and coordinated third-party testing/certifications.
- Product Engineering, 7%
Instituted a system of key metrics to develop accurate, relevant tracking and measurement of product engineering's operational performance year-over-year.
- Product Line, 5%
Standardized control box across product line allowing for price discounting from vendors and eliminating change-over time in the electrical department.
- Java, 5%
Defined overall strategy and led effort to define how Java based application and feature deployments would be maintained in Oracle EBS.
- Continuous Improvement, 5%
Evangelized and piloted corporate adoption of agile processes including corporate transparency, continuous improvement, and self-organizing teams.
"project management," "product management," and "product engineering" are among the most common skills that product engineering managers use at work. You can find even more product engineering manager responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a product engineering manager to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "architectural and engineering managers evaluate information to solve problems." Product engineering managers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "complete product design of pump monitoring system on fracking application including data transfer and management from site to factory. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling product engineering manager duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "architectural and engineering managers must effectively convey information and expectations related to projects." According to a product engineering manager resume, here's how product engineering managers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "partnered with supply management and product development teams to improve communication and work-flow between the teams. "
Math skills. For certain product engineering manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a product engineering manager rely on this skill, as "architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other mathematics to develop new products and processes." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what product engineering managers do: "developed nonlinear math model in simulink and implemented controls system in labview realtime crio target. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a product engineering manager to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what product engineering managers relies on this skill, since "architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets simultaneously." How this skill relates to product engineering manager duties can be seen in an example from a product engineering manager resume snippet: "define and execute engineering organizational goals for a portfolio with 9 individual products in a domain specific software company. "
The three companies that hire the most product engineering managers are:
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Compare different product engineering managers
Product engineering manager vs. Design manager
A design manager is responsible for creating graphic and digital designs, following clients' specifications, and managing project deliverables efficiently. Design managers work closely with the marketing and public relations department, developing strategies to promote the brand to the target audience. They coordinate with the creative team and present the design ideas to the management, ask for final approval, perform revisions as needed, and follow the budget goals. A design manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the design team's concerns and needs.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between product engineering managers and design manager. For instance, product engineering manager responsibilities require skills such as "product management," "product engineering," "java," and "continuous improvement." Whereas a design manager is skilled in "sketch," "visualization," "user experience," and "powerpoint." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Design managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $121,279. Comparatively, product engineering managers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $133,358.The education levels that design managers earn slightly differ from product engineering managers. In particular, design managers are 9.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a product engineering manager. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product engineering manager vs. Manager, systems engineering
A systems engineering manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of the company's technology systems and network infrastructure. System engineering managers inspect the output deliverables of computer systems, identifying process improvement techniques to improve optimal performance and maintain high-quality results. They handle the department's budget and allocate adequate resources to support project management operations and requirements. A systems engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, handling technical complexities, and configuring system management tools.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that product engineering manager responsibilities requires skills like "product management," "product engineering," "product line," and "continuous improvement." But a manager, systems engineering might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "systems engineering," "architecture," "dod," and "infrastructure."
On average, managers, systems engineering earn a higher salary than product engineering managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managers, systems engineering earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $131,371. Whereas product engineering managers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $133,358.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Managers, systems engineering tend to reach similar levels of education than product engineering managers. In fact, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product engineering manager vs. Product director
The duties of a product director depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the product development operations to ensure smooth flow and efficiency, devise strategies to improve processes, gather relevant data such as sales and customer feedback, and coordinate with different departments in developing new products and services. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage departments to meet goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its mission and vision.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from product engineering manager resumes include skills like "product engineering," "continuous improvement," "c++," and "ul," whereas a product director is more likely to list skills in "product strategy," "product roadmap," "product vision," and "kpis. "
Product directors make a very good living in the internet industry with an average annual salary of $155,810. On the other hand, product engineering managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $133,358.Most product directors achieve a similar degree level compared to product engineering managers. For example, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product engineering manager vs. Product lead
A product lead is responsible for monitoring the development of new products and services of an organization, starting from brand conceptualization to official market release and distribution. Product leads identify effective product management by conducting data analysis and evaluating market statistics of customer demands. They coordinate with the clients on their specifications and requirements, including the budget limit and timely deliverables. A product lead manages the brand promotion on media platforms, creating content that adheres to the target audience.
Types of product engineering manager
Updated January 8, 2025
