Architectural and Engineering Managers

Overview

Architectural and Engineering Managers has a national median salary of $171,270 per year, with +5.5% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

Work Values

• Achievement
• Independence
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
• Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
• Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
• Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
• Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
• Working with Computers
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Detailed Work Activities

• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Architectural and Engineering Managers:

Video Resources