Those seeking to become an engineering manager must first secure a bachelor’s degree in engineering management or the engineering field of their choice. There are many engineering fields to choose from, including:
Aspiring engineering managers should look for bachelor’s programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET accreditation ensures a quality education that meets high standards in the field of engineering. ABET accreditation may also be required for some graduate programs, scholarships, grants, or employment opportunities. Students can earn ABET-accredited degrees online or on-campus, and those who choose online engineering management programs can typically complete practical requirements within their home communities or in nearby locations.
A bachelor’s degree in engineering management or another engineering field provides the education students need to secure employment, become licensed, earn certifications, and pursue a graduate degree. Students should seek programs that offer hands-on, collaborative learning, incorporating skills in mathematics, physics, logical thinking, oral and written communication, problem-solving, analysis, and evaluation. Some programs offer combined five-year bachelor’s and master’s degrees—an accelerated option for students who want to save money and time.
All engineering programs establish their own admissions criteria. Typically, the more rigorous the program, the more elevated the requirements, including steeper GPA and exam requirements, or even an admissions interview. Here are some examples of typical admission requirements from actual engineering schools:
Because engineering managers can choose a management degree or a degree in an engineering field, courses will vary depending on the area chosen. However, with most programs, there is a set of basic, core engineering courses required and general education. Some typical courses in undergraduate engineering programs are:
In addition to the general education courses and core engineering classes, students will branch off into specialty courses for their specific field chosen. In the case of engineering management, the following courses are typical:
Engineering management and engineering graduates who meet state practice requirements—including those related to engineer-in-training (EIT) or engineering intern (EI) licensing—can enter the engineering workforce, but only under the direction of a professional engineer (PE) as discussed below in Step 5.
Professional work experience and practical co-op experience from academic programs can prepare new engineers to eventually become PEs themselves. Most board and professional certifications also require a certain number of years in the field.
The next step toward becoming an engineering manager is to obtain a master’s degree in engineering management (MEM or MSEM). Some may also seek to earn a master’s in business administration (MBA) or technology management (MSTM).
Graduate-level courses in engineering management are more specialized than those in bachelor’s programs. Engineering management programs usually focus on classes in the economics of engineering, financial management, human resources management, quality control, and accounting. Taking a technology approach includes instruction in project management, operations management, health issues and safety, and general management principles.
Prospective applicants can find online engineering management programs here.
The following admissions requirements are taken from real schools across the United States. Note that requirements can vary significantly from one program to the next. For example, some master’s programs only admit candidates who have three or more years of professional work experience as an engineer, while others admit students right from bachelor’s programs.
Students earning master’s degrees in engineering management complete courses specifically designed to promote evaluation, problem-solving, management, and communication skills. Here are some examples of engineering management master’s program courses:
Most engineering managers cannot practice independently without being licensed. According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), licensing requirements are set by individual states, which means they can vary. The Council advises students to examine licensing requirements in the state where they intend to secure a position as an engineering manager. Students can research state requirements through the NCEES.
Some states require engineering students and recent graduates to earn special engineer-in-training (EIT) or engineering intern (EI) licenses by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, which tests for a minimum level of competency in the chosen engineering field.
The FE exam verifies that candidates have the fundamental skills and engineering knowledge necessary to work in the field. The NCEES offers FE exams in several concentrations including
Engineering students and recent graduates should take the exam that best fits their area of concentration. According to NCEES, these exams explore knowledge in some of the following areas, depending on the engineering concentration:
Undergraduate engineering curricula are often designed with FE exam requirements in mind. Students seeking licensure can usually find this information by searching online or by contacting the program director.
A professional engineering (PE) license is a voluntary, but valuable credential. Professional engineers typically enjoy higher earnings and advancement potential than non-credentialed peers. They can complete a wider range of tasks such as managing major projects, mentoring EIT and EIs, practicing independently, and serving the public directly.
Engineers must meet the following criteria to become licensed professional engineers:
This exam is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years of post-graduate work experience. NCEES offers the PE exam in 16 different concentrations including the following:
Engineers can prepare for the exam by reviewing PE exam specifications and studying the reference materials and supplied guide. Students are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with their state licensing board’s registration procedures before registering for a PE exam.
According to NCEES, each exam explores knowledge in its own area of concentration. Topics covered can be found by clicking on the specific exam at NCEES under PE Exam and then finding the exam specifications on each corresponding page. The exams explore knowledge in some of the following areas, depending on the concentration:
Similar to the certification as a professional engineer, board and professional certifications are another significant way to advance a career in engineering management by focusing on niche areas in the field. These certifications demonstrate that an engineering manager is an expert in the field and can serve an organization well. The following is the most common type of advanced certification.
The American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) offers a Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM) certification. The program “provides a formal method for recognizing the knowledge and experience of professionals involved in the complex task of technical and engineering management, regardless of where they may be in their career.” This promotes using a common language and concepts by the various engineering managers around the world.
Knowledgeable and skilled professionals through ASEM confirm a participant’s competency in the given area on a global scale. Benefits of having this credential include the recognition that a candidate knows how to reduce turnover in organizations, enhance productivity, promote innovation, and meet financial and project goals.
Requirements – Certified Professional in Engineering Management
Candidates for the CPEM must pass an exam. In addition, they must hold a bachelor of science in engineering management from an ABET-accredited program or BS or BA in a related engineering field with a minimum professional experience of four years. If a candidate holds a master of science in engineering management from an ASEM-certified program, three years of professional experience are required.
If the master of engineering management is from a non-ASEM-certified program, four years of experience are required. In addition, if the candidate holds a PhD in technology, industrial and systems, or engineering management, no exam is required and three years experience is required.
A copy of the candidate’s degree transcripts and a curriculum vitae or resume documenting work experience with contact information of the supervisor to validate experience are required with the application.
Several engineering schools offer graduate certificates in engineering management. These certificates may give engineering managers an edge when competing for jobs or advancements. Programs can be found on campus or online. Examples of some certificates include:
Engineering management students may be interested in finding out career and salary statistics as well as projected earnings and job growth for the future. The field of engineering management is a lucrative career choice and has normal growth patterns for future job opportunities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022) architectural and engineering managers earned a mean annual salary of $163,310 with higher wages reaching upwards of $222,000 per year. Industries with the highest concentration of these fields are:
States with the most positions for engineering managers are California, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, and Massachusetts. In more detailed terms, here’s a breakdown of salary data in the category of architectural and engineering managers:
United States (197,180 architectural and engineering managers employed): $163,310 average
Also, data from PayScale (2023)—a site for self-reported salaries—reports that engineering managers have an average annual salary of $120,670. Glassdoor (2023) states that engineering managers in the US earn an average salary of $152,824. Indeed (2023) found an average annual salary of $129,227 among United States engineering managers. Finally, Salary.com (2022) reports that engineering managers made an average of $146,657 as of July 2023, with the range typically falling between $131,703 and $162,756.
The BLS (2022) projected that architectural and engineering management employment opportunities will increase 2 percent between 2021 and 2031. By comparison, all occupations across the country are expected to have an average growth of eight percent between 2021 and 2031.
Finally, professional and educational engineering organizations support students and professionals throughout their careers. They provide career and training information, professional networking opportunities, continuing education courses, and more. Now-and-future engineer managers may find the following agencies helpful:
Farheen Gani has researched a wide array of topics related to engineering since 2018. She has written about electrical and computer engineering programs, structural engineering programs, mechanical engineer salaries, environmental engineering programs, and many other subfields of engineering. She...
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