For example, some jobs in project management may involve developing new projects, focusing on scientific research advances, or streamlining manufacturing processes. Other construction manager jobs may have engineers as managers specifically overseeing construction projects.
Jobs in project management, including virtual project management jobs, require engineers to be able to specify and pinpoint not only what needs to be done to accomplish a specific project, but to also identify technical problems or other difficulties that are preventing a project from being completed.
Administration and communication is key
Those who are in project management jobs must also be administrators, which mean that they have to hire and fire staff, create budgets, and supervise. They may also train those who work with them. They have to determine what equipment needs are and then arrange to have those needs funded.
Some of the personnel they had may include engineers and scientists who carry out specific parts of each project they manage. They then may act in a supervisory capacity with these employees, check to see whether or not their work is accurate and high quality, and determine whether or not their output is satisfactory. They may also review and establish administrative policies and procedures such as determining the environment of standards that need to be met.
Skills
Besides the aforementioned skills, those in engineering project management jobs must be able to communicate well, because they spend so much time communicating their needs to those who work under them. In addition, they may have to coordinate their efforts and the efforts of those who work with them along with the efforts of others, especially if they are working on a large project that requires the efforts of more than one department organization.
They may also have to communicate with higher levels of management, with other managers in their organizations such as production or marketing managers, and with equipment and materials suppliers, as well as contractors.
Specifically, most of the time engineering managers supervise those who develop and design systems, processes, products, and machinery. They may also coordinate or direct testing, production, operations, and maintenance in businesses like industrial plants. Many engineering managers are plant engineers to help coordinate and direct equipment and machinery installation, design, operation and maintenance in plants that produce industrial products. Or, they may supervise and direct research and development teams that are in the process of developing new products or processes, or that improve upon existing processes or products.
Education
Those who want to be engineering project managers have to have a strong background in engineering and natural sciences. Not only do they have to understand their own field well, but they also have to be able to "translate" terms and technology into language that non-engineers like management or potential customers can understand. In most cases, engineering project managers have backgrounds in engineering, or may have started out with undergraduate degrees in math or science.
When one becomes a project manager as an engineer, it's likely that first he or she has worked as an engineer under another project manager with a similar engineering background. In other words, one usually becomes a project manager only after working under another project manager in entry-level positions.
In general, you complete a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, and you may have a master's degree in engineering management or business administration as well. In many cases, your employer will help you pay for your education. If the firm you work for is very large, you may actually have some of these classes offered on your job site. In general, if you want to become an engineering project manager, you pursue either a master's degree in engineering management or in business administration after you have completed your bachelor's degree.
After you have specialized in your particular area for enough time to receive the management skills necessary, and after you have gotten the necessary education, you may be ready to pursue the responsibilities inherent in an engineering project management job. If you want this type of job, you must be the type of engineer who is good not just in your field of expertise, but also in the more general areas of communication and administration. You'll need to lead groups and coordinate projects, so you'll need to be skilled in these areas as well.
Getting the job
In general, you'll start out with a particular company as an engineer working under another engineer who is managing a particular project. As you gain skills, you will be given more responsibility; in addition, as you complete any educational requirements necessary, such as an MBA, you may just naturally move into a managerial position. Of course, once you've got this education and the necessary qualifications, you can also look for jobs online or by networking.
Outlook and salary
The job outlook for engineer project managers is quite good as long as these people also have good communication and management skills. Some strong areas of demand are scientific research and development services, and engineering and architecture. Biomedical and environmental engineering are also two other areas of focus. The median earnings of engineers in management positions were about $105,000 as of 2006.
