What is a test engineering manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Yi Yang PhD,

Steven Fernandez

A test engineering manager oversees the testing process of software and/or hardware products. They lead a team of test engineers to ensure that products meet quality standards and provide a positive user experience. Test engineering managers work with developers, project managers, and stakeholders to establish testing goals, strategies, and schedules. They also manage budgets, create test plans, and implement methodologies. They aim to ensure products are thoroughly tested before being released to the market.

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

Yi Yang PhD

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.

ScoreTest Engineering ManagerUS Average

Salary

8.1

Avg. Salary $117,209

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 14.85%

Black or African American 3.08%

Hispanic or Latino 8.78%

Unknown 4.66%

White 68.47%

Gender

female 9.34%

male 90.66%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a test engineering manager?

Pros

High level of responsibility and autonomy
Competitive salary and benefits package
Opportunity for career growth and advancement
Chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams
Potential for flexible work arrangements

Cons

High stress levels due to the nature of the work
Long hours and tight deadlines can be common
Pressure to deliver high-quality results with limited resources
Dealing with team conflicts and personnel issues can be challenging
Can be difficult to maintain work-life balance due to demands of the job

Key steps to become a test engineering manager

Explore test engineering manager education requirements

Most common test engineering manager degrees

Bachelor's

67.3 %

Master's

16.3 %

Associate

13.9 %

Start to develop specific test engineering manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Test Engineering	9.74%
Test Equipment	5.76%
Test Automation	4.92%
RF	4.57%
Continuous Improvement	3.89%

Complete relevant test engineering manager training and internships

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

Research test engineering manager duties and responsibilities

Manage regulatory and agency (UL, CSA, FCC, IEC, FDA, CE , 510k, etc . )
Manage development of applications to save the tests data into the SQL database.
Manage chemical testing laboratory for analyzing field materials for engineers using ASTM requirements.
Manage workflow and oversee strict cleanroom operations, assuring compliance with FDA specifications including labeling and packaging traceability.

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