Published:Oct 25, 2025

Engineering Management Jobs: Top Careers, Skills, and Salaries

Engineering managers are talented and sought-after professionals — largely because of their distinct combination of hard and soft skills. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), they blend deep technical engineering expertise with business and leadership skills to guide teams of engineers in delivering successful projects.

Jobs in engineering management typically involve overseeing product development, project execution, systems integration, and people. Engineering managers align technical goals with strategic priorities, mentor engineers, and ensure quality results — delivered on time. Career progression often starts with technical, hands-on engineering roles and advances to engineering manager then on to director or VP.

If you’re looking for a career path that combines leadership, innovation, and organizational impact, look no further than a career in engineering management. Below, we’ll dive a little deeper into job opportunities, skills required, and salaries in this increasingly lucrative field.

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Job Outlook and Industry Demand

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow about 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, adding roughly 15,000 openings per year. In 2023, around 210,200 engineering manager roles existed, with high demand in areas like systems engineering, electrical, manufacturing, and software infrastructure.¹

High-growth sectors for engineering managers include aerospace, defense, energy, manufacturing, and software development. Lockheed Martin — an aerospace and defense giant — employs tens of thousands of engineers and leads major Air Force initiatives like satellite and hypersonic programs.² And companies in the software and energy sectors are actively seeking hybrid leaders who combine project management, systems engineering, and software engineering skills.

Top employers for software engineers looking for jobs in engineering management include Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. What’s driving the surge in demand? The clean-energy transition, defense modernization, and a resurgence in manufacturing are certainly helping. These movements and advancements are all fueling new and promising career paths for engineering managers across sectors. Aspiring engineering managers would be wise to seek openings at leading aerospace firms, Air Force–affiliated contractors, and high-growth software and clean energy companies that offer these hybrid tech-leadership roles.

In short, engineering managers are increasingly in demand across an impressive array of industries and areas. Companies are proving to favor professionals who are fluent in engineering and software-code and have strong project management and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities and Day-to-Day Duties

So, what does an engineering manager do? As we know, engineering managers blend technical engineering oversight with leadership and program management — an intricate balance of specialized skills. They are able to guide engineering teams to deliver high-quality solutions on time and within budget; they oversee project delivery; they ensure alignment with product managers and stakeholders; and they manage project cost, timeline, and scope. In short, a lot is on their shoulders so prioritization and communication is key.

The core responsibilities of engineering managers span hiring, mentoring, setting technical direction, and optimizing engineering processes. But day-to-day tasks can differ by setting. For example:

In software engineering, engineering managers might lead agile methodologies like sprint planning and retrospectives, collaborate with product managers, and ensure team goals and output align with business goals.
In manufacturing, engineering managers focus on process optimization, equipment performance, and quality oversight, ensuring continuous improvement and minimal downtime.
In aerospace and defense, engineering managers prioritize systems engineering, compliance with regulatory standards, and collaboration with program management.

Across industries, successful engineering managers serve as a bridge between engineering teams and business stakeholders — translating strategy into technical execution while fostering innovation and accountability. Whether working with software developers, manufacturing engineers, or aerospace systems teams, their leadership drives engineering excellence and strong business outcomes.

Common Engineering Manager Job Titles

Engineering management offers a range of career paths across industries like information technology (IT), manufacturing, software, and mechanical or electrical engineering. Regardless of specialty or domain, engineering management careers combine leadership, technical depth, and business acumen.

Another perk? Job opportunities for engineering managers span from entry-level to executive, based on experience and education. So you can enter into the field at the level that’s right for you, and there’s ample opportunity for advancement. Explore common job titles for engineering managers below.

Entry-Level Positions

Common entry-level engineering management job titles include team lead or associate engineering manager. In roles at this level, engineering managers begin overseeing small teams or projects, and they typically make the transition from more hands-on, individual contributor roles like mechanical engineer or industrial engineer.
Mid-Career Positions

As engineering managers advance, they can take on more mid-career roles like senior engineering manager, project manager, or product manager. These roles involve broader responsibility for cross-functional coordination, strategic planning, and delivery execution. In software or IT, for example, this may include agile development oversight. In manufacturing or mechanical fields, their focus may shift to systems integration or production efficiency.
Executive-Level Positions

At the executive level, you start to see experienced engineering managers take on positions like director of engineering or vice president of engineering. These are the true leaders of this job category, and they are able to drive long-term technical strategy, oversee large engineering departments, and align engineering efforts with overall business goals.

Top Employers Hiring for Engineering Management Roles

Here are some top employers actively hiring for engineering management roles across key industries:

Lockheed Martin (Defense & Aerospace): Actively recruits for engineering manager, systems engineering manager, manufacturing engineering manager roles, and more. There are opportunities in defense programs linked to the U.S. Air Force.³
Google (IT & Software): There are multiple postings for software engineering manager, engineering manager II, and Cloud & AI team leads — with 3,400+ active engineering roles and new openings in Seattle/Kirkland.⁴
Tesla (Energy, Manufacturing, & IT): They are actively hiring for roles like engineering program managers and build managers — offering both on-site (Gigafactories) and remote roles. These positions are focused on energy products, vehicle engineering, and application engineering.⁵
Raytheon (Defense & Systems Engineering): Open listings at Raytheon include project manager – engineering/supply chain and senior systems engineering manager; and they offer hybrid and remote options. Raytheon, or RTX, is known for competitive pay and holds frequent hiring events.⁶
Amazon (Logistics & IT): Amazon regularly posts positions for technical program managers and engineering managers in locations across the country.⁷
Boeing (Aerospace & Manufacturing): They are frequently seeking engineering supervisors, program managers, and technical leads across aircraft systems and manufacturing disciplines.⁸

All of these companies and firms listed are equal opportunity employers offering competitive pay and ongoing opportunities. To explore and apply to engineering management positions, visit your company of interest’s careers page, join their talent community, and/or subscribe to job alerts.

The positions available are subject to change — remember to search terms on their careers pages, such as “engineering manager,” “program manager,” “project manager” to see what is currently open.

Qualifications and Skills Required

What makes a good engineering manager? First, a strong foundation in engineering, such as mechanical engineering, computer science, or software engineering, is essential. Most engineering management roles require years of technical experience before transitioning into leadership. Engineering managers must be able to blend their comprehensive technical expertise with key skills in leadership, decision-making, and collaboration.

To become an engineering manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering, followed by experience in technical roles and a track record of successfully delivering complex projects. Advanced training or certifications like the Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Lean Six Sigma can enhance your resume and improve your standing in the job application process.

Beyond engineering experience and credentials, soft skills are critical. Emotional intelligence, clear communication, and the ability to mentor and manage people all contribute to effective engineering management. These roles also require a partnership with human resource professionals, particularly in managing performance and hiring within skilled trades or high-tech teams.

Whether driving innovation in aerospace engineering or leading agile software teams, excellence in engineering management means balancing strategy with empathy.

Salary and Career Path Opportunities

According to Salary.com, the median base salary for an engineering manager in the U.S. is $156,267, with median total compensation (including bonus and benefits) around $233,701.⁹ Engineering manager salaries vary by region — here is a breakdown of the average salary in some U.S. tech hubs:

San Francisco: median base ~$195,000, total ~$287,000
Austin: median base ~$155,000, total ~$232,000
Los Angeles: median base ~$173,000, total ~$257,000

Career Paths and Dual Tracks

Graduates typically start as engineers (software, mechanical, electrical, industrial, etc.), which has a median annual salary of around $80,000.¹⁰ As technical and leadership skills emerge, engineers can transition into engineering manager roles, with base salaries ranging from $122,000 to $171,000 depending on the region.⁹

Career advancement typically follows two tracks:

People-manager track: Engineer → engineering manager → director of engineering → VP of engineering → CTO
Technical expert track: Engineer → principal engineer → distinguished engineer → CTO

Both tracks offer competitive pay and career growth, with product management roles (e.g., technical product manager) as alternative leadership paths.

Tips for Breaking Into Engineering Management

To break into engineering management, you have to start by building strong technical experience as an engineer in your specialty of choice (i.e., software, mechanical, industrial). Many professionals enter the engineering manager job category by first leading small engineering teams or taking on cross-functional responsibilities. Entry-level leadership roles — like team lead or associate manager — are common stepping stones.

If you’re looking to accelerate, you would be wise to seek out mentorship, participate in internal mobility programs, and consider advanced education, such as a Master of Engineering Management (MEM). Networking through professional associations (e.g., ASEM, IEEE) and joining a talent network can expose you to new, promising opportunities, too.

You should also peruse job boards, such as LinkedIn, Built In, and Engineering.com — they offer tailored listings for engineering management roles across industries. Whether you’re a data engineer looking to lead analytics teams or a mechanical engineer ready to oversee production, staying connected to updates in the industry is key. Plus, be sure to set job alerts and engage with recruiters to stay ahead.

If you stay connected and curious, you’ll continue accelerating along the promising, lucrative, and fulfilling career path of engineering management.