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Special project engineer vs special projects manager

The differences between special project engineers and special projects managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special projects manager has an average salary of $90,221, which is higher than the $70,934 average annual salary of a special project engineer.

The top three skills for a special project engineer include DOD, design changes and engineering support. The most important skills for a special projects manager are project management, logistics, and financial statements.

Special project engineer vs special projects manager overview

Special Project EngineerSpecial Projects Manager
Yearly salary$70,934$90,221
Hourly rate$34.10$43.38
Growth rate2%6%
Number of jobs90,999114,925
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4147
Years of experience6-

What does a special project engineer do?

A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.

What does a special projects manager do?

A Special Projects Department is a vital part of the research and development branch in a company to design and create new products and services for customers to use. The special projects manager's responsibility is to request and allocate funds, personnel, and a specialist to the project. This person is also obligated to monitor and generate reports on the project's status and update the company management on the special project's daily status.

Special project engineer vs special projects manager salary

Special project engineers and special projects managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Project EngineerSpecial Projects Manager
Average salary$70,934$90,221
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $95,000Between $66,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CityNewark, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleGoogle
Best paying industryHospitalityFinance

Differences between special project engineer and special projects manager education

There are a few differences between a special project engineer and a special projects manager in terms of educational background:

Special Project EngineerSpecial Projects Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special project engineer vs special projects manager demographics

Here are the differences between special project engineers' and special projects managers' demographics:

Special Project EngineerSpecial Projects Manager
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 65.9% Female, 34.1%Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage5%10%

Differences between special project engineer and special projects manager duties and responsibilities

Special project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a database for storage of CNC machining programs and engineering drawings.
  • Manage several industrial production building HVAC equipment replacement projects.
  • Develop software to automate generation of engineering drawings and BOM.
  • Manage custom product design & generate all require documentation for both customer and manufacturing groups using AutoCAD rel.
  • Implement cost reduction strategies through aggressive RFP and bidding processes while optimizing distribution processes and maintaining excellent customer service standards.
  • Perform basic setup of fanuc control CNC machines.
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Special projects manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage special projects and crises to include TOYOTA PR/Congressional hearings.
  • Manage the integration of the acquired companies into ShawCor, the ERP implementation as well as the accounting system setup.
  • Administer software to automate and standardize engineering functions using Pro/E, AutoCad and ProductView.
  • Manage elaborate software implementation projects relate to national convenience store/gas station point of sale (POS) technology.
  • Supervise inventory control and payroll staff.
  • Integrate HVAC and fire suppression system.
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Special project engineer vs special projects manager skills

Common special project engineer skills
  • DOD, 10%
  • Design Changes, 10%
  • Engineering Support, 10%
  • R, 8%
  • Prototype, 7%
  • CAD, 6%
Common special projects manager skills
  • Project Management, 19%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • HR, 4%
  • Construction Projects, 4%

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