How to become an engineering manager
Official title: Engineering managers
Also called: Engineering manager, Director of engineering, Civil engineering manager, Engineering delivery chief, Engineering superintendent, Marine engineering manager, Mining engineering manager, Aerospace engineering manager, Automation engineering manager, Director of safety engineering, Electrical engineering manager, Engineering department manager
Engineering managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of an engineering department, service or firm. They are employed by a wide range of private sector and government establishments and by consulting engineering and scientific research companies.
Main tasks
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities and operations of an engineering department, service or firm
- Develop and implement policies, standards and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed in the department, service, laboratory or firm
- Consult and negotiate with clients to prepare specifications, explain proposals and present engineering reports and findings
- Assign, coordinate and review the technical work of the department or project teams
- Recruit personnel and oversee development and maintenance of staff competence in required areas
- May participate directly in the design, development and inspection of technical projects or in the engineering work of the department
How to become one
A bachelor's degree in engineering is usually required. Extensive experience in an engineering discipline, including supervisory experience, is required. Registration as a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is usually required.
Ways in
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $139,991 a year The middle half earn $107,816 to $174,603.
- About 34,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 38,000 are projected by 2033. (+10.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an engineering manager?
A bachelor's degree in engineering is usually required. Extensive experience in an engineering discipline, including supervisory experience, is required. Registration as a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is usually required.
How much does an engineering manager earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $139,991 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $107,816 to $174,603.
Is an engineering manager a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2033, from about 34,300 to about 38,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an engineering manager?
Usually. 81% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03