How to become an Architectural and Engineering Manager

Official title: Architectural and Engineering Managers

Also called: Civil Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineering Manager, Engineering Director, Engineering Group Manager, Engineering Program Manager, Mechanical Engineering Manager, Process Engineering Manager, Project Engineering Manager, Project Manager

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

Main 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.
• Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
• Assess project feasibility by analyzing technology, resource needs, or market demand.
• Review, recommend, or approve contracts or cost estimates.

How to become one

To enter the occupation, architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer .

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $171,270 a year The middle half earn $139,360 to $212,500.
• About 220,900 people work in this job now, and about 233,100 are projected by 2035. (+5.5%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Architectural and Engineering Manager?

To enter the occupation, architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer .

How much does an Architectural and Engineering Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $171,270 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $139,360 to $212,500.

Is an Architectural and Engineering Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 220,900 to about 233,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Architectural and Engineering Manager?

Usually. 84% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Architectural and Engineering Manager?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.