Architectural and Engineering Managers

Career summary

Architectural and engineering managers use advanced technical skills to oversee many types of projects. Projects may include:

• Building a new highway
• Designing a production line
• Installing a water system

Architectural and engineering managers oversee the planning and building of new factories and plants. They oversee the design of new products.

Sometimes they improve the way products are made. Architectural and engineering managers set goals and establish policies and work procedures for meeting those goals.

Architectural and engineering managers review plans and contracts and approve proposals. They propose budgets and timelines for completing projects. They also keep projects running on schedule by working to meet deadlines. Managers identify problems when they occur, and work to find solutions to them.

Architectural and engineering managers make decisions about the money and staff needed to complete projects. They hire and assign tasks to:

• Engineers
• Architects
• Computer specialists

They review work and set policies for employees. Managers oversee the purchase of new equipment and the redesign of old equipment. They may also design programs to reduce the impact of the projects on the environment.

Architectural and engineering managers need good communication skills. They meet with other managers to coordinate work on projects. They talk and negotiate with suppliers. They meet with contractors.

Managers sometimes speak in public to gain support or funding for a project. They look at projects from many points of view to help set goals. These points of view include the social, environmental, or legal impacts of projects.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Architects
• Civil Engineers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Construction Managers
• Financial Managers
• Industrial Engineers
• Natural Sciences Managers
• Sales Representatives
• Storage and Transportation Managers
• Supply Chain Managers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to architectural and engineering managers.

• Plan, manage, and lead projects for civil, environmental, or industrial services.
• Work with others to create project specifications, goals, and procedures. This includes managers, contractors, and clients.
• Prepare budgets, proposals, and contracts.
• Assign project tasks, such as design and field work, to employees.
• Estimate costs and propose budgets for meeting goals.
• Direct the production of new products, services, or processes.
• Assess projects from many points of view to see if construction should go forward.
• Create and implement better methods to perform services. This may include raising the quality of work or lowering the impact on the natural environment.
• Review, recommend, and approve contracts and cost estimates.
• Administer projects. This includes the review and writing of reports, tracking costs, and billing.
• Give presentations to clients. Explain proposals, reports, or findings.
• Prepare reports and speak to the public to get support for public projects.
• Help set goals for the knowledge, technology, and other factors needed to do a project. Other factors may include the impacts of projects on people, the law, and the natural environment.
• Stay up to date on new research, technology, and practices. This includes how the changes affect architecture or the natural environment.

Common work activities

Architectural and engineering managers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Analyze data or information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Schedule work and activities
• Think creatively
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Process information
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Develop goals and strategies
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Document and record information
• Develop and build teams
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Coach others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Teach others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, architectural and engineering managers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a moderately high level of social interaction. They spend most of their time talking to other engineers, managers, and clients.
• Communicate with people daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
• Work as part of a project team.
• Are greatly responsible for the work performed by others.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations, such as during budget or timeline negotiations.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of the people working on their projects.

Physical work conditions

• Sometimes work outdoors when visiting sites or facilities. Otherwise, they spend most of their time indoors. Sites might not be temperature-controlled.
• Sometimes wear protective gear, such as a hard hat and boots, when visiting project sites.

Work performance

• Must be highly accurate in performing their job. They coordinate many activities that have technical and time constraints. Errors could cost the organization money.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decisions or setting tasks and goals.
• Meet strict weekly deadlines. This makes the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.
• Daily make decisions that strongly impact coworkers and their company.
• Are able to repeat the same mental and physical activities during the day. This is somewhat important when using the computer to write reports, schedules, and budgets.

Hours/travel

• Work more than 40 hours during a regular business week.
• May work weekends or evenings to meet project deadlines.

Physical demands

Architectural and engineering managers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for architectural and engineering managers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for architectural and engineering managers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Architectural and engineering managers need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Decide how to spend money to get the work done and keep track of how the money was used.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Look for ways to help people.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Business Management and Administration
• Engineering and Industrial Management

Other programs of study to consider

• Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Architecture
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Geological and Geophysical Engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mining and Mineral Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Polymer and Plastics Engineering
• Pre-Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering

Training

To work as an architectural or engineering manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have at least a bachelor's degree;
• have more than five years of related work experience; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

You need at least a bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering for most management positions. In many cases, you need a master's degree. Architectural managers must have administrative skills as well as architecture skills. Engineering managers must have administrative skills as well as engineering skills. A master's in business administration (MBA) is good preparation for non-technical management jobs. For technical management jobs, a master's in engineering management is the best preparation.

Work experience

You must prove yourself as an architect or engineer before you can consider moving into this occupation. Architectural and engineering managers work for many years as architects or engineers before becoming managers.

On-the-job training

Employers often provide training or pay for college course work. This is so you can update your technical skills or expand your administrative skills. As a new manager, you are likely to receive on-the-job training. In general, training lasts about less than a year.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Trigonometry and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Drafting
• Construction

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require that architectural and engineering managers have at least a bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering. Some employers prefer people who have a master's degree. Employers also look for people with strong communication skills and experience working as an architect or engineer. Certification or licensing may also be required.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Architects must be registered by the Washington State Board for Architects to legally call themselves architects or to contract to provide architectural services.

#Decided to add just these two general statements (since NWOIS description mentions licensing) but not add the full licensing info we put in either Architects or any of the engineering occupations, 8/6/13 cj. Left this as is 2/6/18 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Architectural and Engineering Managers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The manager's level of education and experience also affect wages.

Benefits vary by employer. Managers usually receive health insurance, vacation days, and retirement benefits. Some also receive expense accounts, stock option plans, and bonuses.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Architecture and engineering firms
• Semiconductor and parts manufacturers
• Navigational and measuring instrument manufacturers
• Research and development companies

National outlook

Overall employment growth for engineering managers will be slower than average. 

Growth for architectural managers will depend on the demand for construction. The need for new office buildings, schools, and health care facilities will create the most job growth.

Some job openings for architectural and engineering managers will result from the need to replace workers who retire or move into other occupations.

Other resources

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Society for Engineering Management 
SMAP Center
200 Sparkman Dr, Suite 2
Huntsville, AL 35805

Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards 
1840 Michael Faraday Drive, Suite 200
Reston, VA 20190
571.432.0332

IEEE Computer Society 
2001 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
202.371.0101

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 
3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10016
212.419.7900

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• Architectural and Engineering Managers (11-9041.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Chief Engineer, Waterworks (005.167-010) 
• Chief Petroleum Engineer (010.161-014) 
• Engineer-in-charge, Transmitter (003.167-034) 
• Engineering Manager, Electronics (003.167-070) 
• Highway-administrative Engineer (005.167-022) 
• Manager, Land Surveying (018.167-022) 
• Plant Engineer (007.167-014) 
• Project Engineer (019.167-014) 
• Research-contracts Supervisor (162.117-030) 
• Superintendent, Oil-well Services (010.167-018) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Enterprising/Investigative/Realistic
• Enterprising/Realistic/Investigative

COPSystem

• Business Professional