Engineering Project Manager: Salary and Job Description

Strong project management is the cornerstone of a successful engineering project. As a 2023 report by consulting firm McKinsey & Company noted, effective project managers:

• Know how to access and analyze the types of data necessary to manage projects well
• Have expertise in performance management processes that can facilitate prompt decision-making
• Are equipped with the skills necessary to spur productivity and ensure quality in the projects they manage

Anyone who has an interest in managing engineering projects and working as an engineering project manager can benefit from learning more about the profession and what it takes to enter the field. One of the primary ways to acquire knowledge and skills in engineering project management is to complete a graduate degree program in engineering management. 
 

Engineering Project Manager Job Description

The primary responsibility of a project manager in engineering is to oversee an engineering project, ensuring that the project team completes the project on schedule, within budget, and at a high standard of quality.

Engineering project managers can work in all phases of an engineering project, from the planning phase to the creation and delivery of the final product to the evaluation of the completed project.
 

Typical Duties of Engineering Project Managers

Professionals who manage engineering projects perform duties such as:

• Working with stakeholders to specify the project goals, scope, and deliverables
• Creating project plans and detailed engineering tasks
• Allocating resources and developing project schedules and timelines
• Coordinating with project engineers, designers, and other staff to keep projects on schedule
• Tracking project budgets
• Ensuring that projects comply with requirements in areas such as regulations, organizational policies, and industry standards
• Cultivating a working environment in which project staff can collaborate effectively

Working as an engineering project manager also entails carrying out responsibilities such as:

• Assessing and managing project risks
• Informing stakeholders about the status of engineering projects
• Monitoring testing of deliverables to verify that they meet all requirements
• Maintaining up-to-date project documentation

After the conclusion of a project, an engineering project manager also can be responsible for evaluating the success of the project and identifying opportunities for improvement in future projects.

Work Settings for Engineering Project Managers

While engineering project managers typically work in office environments, they also may need to spend time on site at the locations of engineering projects. Establishing an on-site presence can help address any issues that arise and ensure that a project remains on schedule.

Industries that hire project managers to oversee engineering projects range from aerospace, manufacturing, and construction to software development, energy projects, and environmental engineering.
 

How To Become an Engineering Project Manager

To become engineering project managers, individuals need to satisfy the requirements outlined below.

1.    Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

Completing a bachelor’s degree in engineering is the first step on the path to becoming an engineering project manager. For example, by studying mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering, individuals can acquire the technical expertise that is necessary to understand engineering projects and the essential duties that engineers on a team perform.

2.    Gain Experience in Engineering

People who want to ascend to project manager roles in engineering need to acquire five to 10 years of experience working in engineering. After starting in entry-level positions, people can advance to midlevel positions where they can learn about duties such as budget management and project scheduling. 

3.    Consider Earning a Graduate Degree

Although completing a graduate degree program is not always a requirement for working as an engineering project manager, it can be particularly helpful to people who want to work in the field.

For example, earning a master’s degree in engineering management is a great way to acquire knowledge and skills that are critical to managing engineering projects. This type of graduate degree program offers courses in topics such as:

• Data analysis, which prepares students to move into roles using data analytics in engineering to manage projects
• Leading engineering professionals, which provides students with expertise in areas such as leadership, employee selection, conflict resolution, and performance evaluation
• Engineering quality management, which enables students to learn about tools and techniques for managing quality and the theories of quality management
• Using decision tools, which gives students the opportunity to gain expertise in using statistical, forecasting, optimization, and simulation tools to inform decision-making in engineering management

4. Consider Earning Project Management Certifications

Earning certifications in project management also can help engineering project managers strengthen their credentials and demonstrate their commitment to the profession. For instance, individuals can earn:

• Project management professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Certified project manager (CPM) certification from the International Association of Project Managers (IAPM)
• CompTIA Project+ certification from CompTIA
   

Engineering Project Manager Salary Levels and Employment Prospects

It can be helpful for people who want to manage engineering projects to become familiar with engineering project manager salary levels and the employment outlook for the profession.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2024, architectural and engineering project managers earned a median annual salary of $167,740. Those in the highest 10% of the salary range earned more than $239,200, while people in the lowest 10% of the salary range earned less than $111,450. Salaries can vary based on factors such as location, employer, and years of experience in the field.

The BLS also projects 6% job growth for architectural and engineering project managers between 2023 and 2033. That growth rate exceeds the BLS’s projection of 4% job growth across all occupations during the same time period.
 

Engineering Project Managers Conduct Rewarding Work That Enables Engineering Projects To Succeed

Working as an engineering project manager is a great way to use a blend of engineering and management expertise to ensure that engineering projects achieve their goals. Equipped with leadership expertise and the technical knowledge to oversee engineering projects, engineering project managers are a key component of any engineering endeavor.

Individuals who are interested in enhancing their expertise in engineering project management can explore the online Master of Science in Engineering Management degree program at Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, to learn how it can help them reach their career goals. Offering a general degree option and an option focused on data analytics, the program provides students with the leadership and technical expertise necessary to manage high-level engineering projects. 

Start working to achieve your career goals in engineering project management today.