Careers · Explore one path
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Other titles employers use
Civil Engineering Manager · Electrical Engineering Manager · Engineering Director · Engineering Group Manager · Engineering Program Manager · Mechanical Engineering Manager · Process Engineering Manager · Project Engineering Manager
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to persuading, analytical and organizing work.
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Mathematics
Subjects to know
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.8 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 46%
- A master's degree 28%
- A doctorate or professional degree 25%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base management system software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Development environment software
- Web platform development software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Operating system software
- Project management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 38,900
- Job openings each year
- 2,660
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 9.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 38,900 | 2,660 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 21,330 | 1,550 | 17.6% |
| Michigan | 12,910 | 840 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 9,440 | 610 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 8,790 | 580 | 4.4% |
| Florida | 7,920 | 560 | 14.6% |
| Ohio | 6,770 | 440 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 6,510 | 420 | 4.0% |
| New York | 6,310 | 30 | 4.5% |
| North Carolina | 5,950 | 420 | 12.1% |
| Maryland | 5,770 | 390 | 7.6% |
| Oregon | 5,170 | 370 | 13.9% |
| Washington | 4,890 | 400 | 12.7% |
| Wisconsin | 4,580 | 320 | 10.9% |
| Arizona | 4,530 | 320 | 12.7% |
| Indiana | 4,410 | 300 | 8.4% |
| Minnesota | 4,230 | 280 | 7.6% |
| Colorado | 4,200 | 290 | 12.3% |
| Connecticut | 4,200 | 290 | 8.8% |
| Virginia | 3,810 | 250 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 3,170 | 220 | 9.7% |
| South Carolina | 3,140 | 220 | 13.4% |
| Utah | 3,090 | 240 | 31.5% |
| Tennessee | 3,020 | 210 | 11.4% |
| Alabama | 2,920 | 200 | 7.0% |
| Massachusetts | 2,410 | 150 | 1.7% |
| Iowa | 2,140 | 140 | 8.1% |
| Oklahoma | 2,010 | 130 | 5.2% |
| Missouri | 1,980 | 130 | 5.3% |
| New Mexico | 1,940 | 140 | 12.8% |
| New Hampshire | 1,760 | 120 | 8.0% |
| District of Columbia | 1,700 | 100 | −1.7% |
| Idaho | 1,680 | 120 | 16.7% |
| Kansas | 1,630 | 110 | 5.2% |
| Louisiana | 1,520 | 100 | 8.6% |
| Kentucky | 1,410 | 90 | 7.6% |
| Nebraska | 1,260 | 80 | 7.7% |
| Puerto Rico | 1,080 | 70 | 10.2% |
| Mississippi | 1,060 | 70 | 12.8% |
| Arkansas | 990 | 70 | 10.0% |
| Nevada | 740 | 50 | 12.1% |
| Maine | 720 | 50 | 1.4% |
| West Virginia | 640 | 40 | 4.9% |
| Montana | 480 | 40 | 17.1% |
| Delaware | 470 | 30 | 4.4% |
| Vermont | 370 | 20 | 2.8% |
| Rhode Island | 340 | 20 | 6.3% |
| North Dakota | 300 | 20 | 7.1% |
| South Dakota | 270 | 20 | 8.0% |
| Alaska | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Wyoming | 190 | 10 | 5.6% |
| Guam | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 2,960
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 2,476
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 5,623
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Degrees each year
- 2,846
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 2,071
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 2,039
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 2,195
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 2,370
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000