Occupation · SOC 11-9041
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,286 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingWritingSpeakingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingMathematicsCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
DesignEngineering and TechnologyMathematicsAdministration and ManagementEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Document management softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareData base management system softwareData base user interface and query softwareExpert system software
Representative tasks
Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineeriDirect, review, or approve project design changes.Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Technical project documentation — review and organize under senior manager direction to support coordination of architectural or engineering activities.Project specifications — assist in drafting initial requirements by compiling client input and background research under direct supervision.Budget worksheets and bid templates — populate with provided data under guidance to support preparation of project cost estimates.Project feasibility inputs — gather technology, resource, and market data to assist senior staff in conducting preliminary feasibility analyses.Design change requests — log, track, and route for approval through established project management software workflows under oversight.Client-facing reports and proposals — contribute supporting sections and exhibits under the direction of a lead architectural or engineering manager.Cross-functional project meetings — attend and document discussions between management, production, and marketing staff regarding project specifications.Contract terms and cost estimate summaries — review for completeness and flag discrepancies for senior review in a structured office environment.ERP and project management software — enter project data and generate standard status reports under the supervision of experienced project managers.Reading comprehension of technical standards and codes — apply to verify that project documents conform to applicable regulatory requirements with oversight.
developing
Technical activity integration — coordinate across engineering and architecture disciplines on mid-scale projects with reduced supervisor involvement.Project design changes — evaluate proposed modifications against scope, schedule, and budget constraints, recommending approval or revision to senior leadership.Client consultations — conduct structured meetings to clarify project requirements and translate client needs into actionable specification documents.Project budgets and contract bids — prepare comprehensive cost estimates and bid packages by applying established methodologies and historical benchmarks.Proposals and findings — present project reports to clients and internal stakeholders, adapting technical content for varied audience comprehension levels.Feasibility assessments — analyze technology options, resource availability, and market demand to produce written feasibility reports for management review.Interdepartmental coordination — facilitate recurring meetings with production, marketing, and management teams to align project procedures and specifications.Contract and cost estimate review — assess vendor and subcontractor submissions for technical accuracy and cost reasonableness, forwarding recommendations for approval.Personnel scheduling and task allocation — coordinate team workloads across concurrent projects using project management and ERP software platforms.Non-routine technical problems — apply deductive and inductive reasoning to diagnose engineering or design issues and develop corrective action plans independently.
proficient
Overall project integration — autonomously manage the full coordination of technical activities across architecture and engineering functions on complex, multi-phase projects.Design change authority — direct and approve project design changes, balancing client intent, regulatory compliance, and engineering feasibility across the project lifecycle.Client negotiation — lead specification negotiations with clients, resolving conflicting requirements and reaching binding technical agreements without escalation.Comprehensive budget and contract development — prepare and finalize budgets, bids, and contracts for large-scale projects, ensuring alignment with organizational risk tolerance.Executive-level presentations — present and defend complex proposals, findings, and technical reports to senior client executives and regulatory bodies with persuasive clarity.Strategic feasibility evaluation — conduct independent multi-variable analyses of technology readiness, resource constraints, and market demand to inform go/no-go project decisions.Cross-functional alignment — resolve specification disputes and procedural conflicts among management, production, and marketing stakeholders, driving consensus on project direction.Contract approval authority — review, recommend, and approve high-value contracts and cost estimates, applying professional judgment to protect organizational and client interests.Team capability development — mentor developing engineers and architects, designing learning strategies and on-the-job coaching plans tailored to individual growth needs.Technology integration — evaluate and implement advanced tools including expert systems, ERP modules, and development environments to optimize project delivery processes.
advanced
Organizational project strategy — set the strategic direction for enterprise-wide architectural and engineering project portfolios, aligning technical priorities with long-term business objectives.Design governance — establish and enforce organization-level design change review frameworks, ensuring quality, innovation, and regulatory compliance across all project lines.Client relationship leadership — cultivate and steward strategic client partnerships at the executive level, negotiating master service agreements and long-term program specifications.Enterprise financial stewardship — oversee the preparation and approval of multi-million-dollar budgets, bids, and contracts, managing organizational exposure and profitability targets.Board and executive communication — present transformative technical strategies, risk assessments, and program outcomes to boards of directors, investors, and government authorities.Market-driven feasibility leadership — lead enterprise feasibility strategy by integrating emerging technology trends, workforce capacity, and market intelligence into capital investment decisions.Cross-organizational integration — architect collaboration frameworks that align engineering, production, marketing, and executive leadership on complex, multi-stakeholder program requirements.Contract and procurement policy — define organizational standards for contract review and cost-estimate approval, establishing governance policies that govern project managers enterprise-wide.Talent and succession development — lead workforce planning and leadership development for the full architectural and engineering management function, building organizational bench strength.Innovation culture leadership — champion the adoption of advanced technologies, knowledge management systems, and learning strategies that position the organization at the forefront of the profession.
Also known as
33 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Architect ManagerArchitectural Project ManagerCivil Engineering ManagerCivil Project Manager (Civil PM)Data Engineering DirectorData Engineering ManagerElectrical Engineering DirectorElectrical Engineering ManagerElectrical Project Manager (Electrical PM)Electronics Engineering ManagerEngineering Design ManagerEngineering DirectorEngineering Group ManagerEngineering Program ManagerEngineering Project ManagerEngineering Project SpecialistEngineering Research ManagerEngineering SupervisorEnvironmental Engineering ManagerGlobal Engineering ManagerMechanical Engineering DirectorMechanical Engineering ManagerMechanical Project Manager (MPM)Process Engineering ManagerProduct Development DirectorProject CoordinatorProject Engineering ManagerProject ManagerPrototype Engineer ManagerResearch and Development Manager (R&D Manager)Research Development ManagerResearch ManagerTransmitter Engineer-in-Charge