What Architectural and Engineering Managers Do
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk8FC3fPMpU
Work Environment
Most architectural and engineering managers work in offices, although some may also work in research laboratories and industrial production plants or at construction sites. Most work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week.
How to Become an Architectural or Engineering Manager
Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer.
Pay
The median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $144,830 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many of the new jobs for architectural and engineering managers are expected to be in computer systems design and related services and in consulting firms.
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.
Duties
Architectural and engineering managers typically do the following:
- Make detailed plans for the development of new products and designs
- Determine staff, training, and equipment needs
- Propose budgets for projects and programs
- Hire and supervise staff
- Lead research and development projects to produce new products, processes, or designs
- Check the technical accuracy of their staff’s work
- Ensure the soundness of methods their staff uses
- Coordinate work with other staff and managers
Architectural and engineering managers use their knowledge of architecture or engineering to oversee a variety of activities. They may direct and coordinate building activities at construction sites or activities related to production, operations, quality assurance, testing, or maintenance at manufacturing sites.
Architectural and engineering managers are responsible for developing the overall concept of a new product or for solving the technical problems that prevent the completion of a project. To accomplish this, they must determine technical goals and produce detailed plans.
Architectural and engineering managers spend a great deal of time coordinating the activities of their staff with the activities of other staff or organizations. They often confer with other managers, including those in finance, production, and marketing, as well as with contractors and equipment and materials suppliers.
In addition, architectural and engineering managers must know how to prepare budgets, hire staff, and supervise employees. They propose budgets for projects and programs and determine staff, training, and equipment needs. These managers must also hire people and assign them specific parts of each project to carry out. Architectural and engineering managers supervise the work of their employees, set schedules, and create administrative procedures.
Architectural and engineering managers held about 198,100 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of architectural and engineering managers were as follows:
| Manufacturing | 35% |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 26 |
| Government | 9 |
| Scientific research and development services | 6 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 6 |
Most architectural and engineering managers work in offices, although some may also work in research laboratories and industrial production plants or at construction sites.
Work Schedules
Most architectural and engineering managers work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week. These managers are often under considerable pressure to meet deadlines and budgets.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of architectural and engineering managers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospace Engineers |
Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. |
Bachelor’s degree | $116,500 | |
Architects |
Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures. |
Bachelor’s degree | $80,750 | |
|
|
Civil Engineers |
Civil engineers design, build, and supervise infrastructure projects and systems. |
Bachelor’s degree | $87,060 |
Construction Managers |
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. |
Bachelor’s degree | $95,260 | |
Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. |
Bachelor’s degree | $101,250 | |
|
|
Industrial Engineers |
Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. |
Bachelor’s degree | $88,020 |
Industrial Production Managers |
Industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. |
Bachelor’s degree | $105,480 | |
Materials Engineers |
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products. |
Bachelor’s degree | $93,360 | |
|
|
Mechanical Engineers |
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices. |
Bachelor’s degree | $88,430 |
Nuclear Engineers |
Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. |
Bachelor’s degree | $113,460 |
For information on architecture and engineering management programs, visit
American Institute of Architects
Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering
CareerOneStop
For a career video on architectural and engineering managers, visit
Architectural and engineering managers
O*NET
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architectural and Engineering Managers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm (visited ).
