1. Natural Work Make detailed plans to reach technical goals, such as development of new products and designs Manage research and development teams that produce new products, processes, or designs, or improve existing ones Check the technical accuracy of the work and soundness of the methods their staff uses Direct and coordinate the design of equipment and machinery Confer with other levels of management on architectural and engineering activities Propose budgets for projects and programs and determine staff, training, and equipment needs Hire, assign, and supervise staff

2. Training or Education Architectural and engineering managers must know how to budget, hire, and supervise. They propose budgets for projects and programs and determine staff, training, and equipment needs. Architectural and engineering managers hire and assign people to carry out specific parts of each project. They supervise the work of these employees and set administrative procedures, policies, or standards, such as environmental standards. Nearly all architectural and engineering managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in an engineering specialty or a professional degree in architecture. Many also gain business management skills by completing a master’s degree in engineering management (MEM) or technology management (MSTM), or a master’s in business administration (MBA), either before or after advancing to management positions. Employers often pay for such training. Typically, those who prefer to manage in technical areas pursue an MEM or MSTM, and those interested in more general management skills earn an MBA. Engineering management programs typically include classes in accounting, engineering economy, financial management, industrial and human resources management, industrial psychology, and quality control. Technology management programs usually provide instruction in production and operations management, project management, computer applications, quality control, safety and health issues, statistics, and general management principles.

3. Employment Architectural and engineering managers held about 176,800 jobs in 2010. They spend most of their time working in offices. Some may also work in laboratories and industrial production plants or at construction sites.

4. Earnings or Wages The median annual wage of architectural and engineering managers was $119,260 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half of the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $77,440, and the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400. Median annual wages in selected industries employing architectural and engineering managers in 2010 were as follows: Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences$138,590Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing132,720Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing132,380Management of companies and enterprises122,480Architectural, engineering, and related services119,830In addition, architectural and engineering managers, especially those at higher levels, often receive more benefits—such as expense accounts, stock-option plans, and bonuses—than do workers who are not managers in their organizations. Architectural and engineering managers may need to work long hours to meet production deadlines. In 2010, 47 percent worked more than 40 hours a week. They may also experience considerable pressure to meet technical goals on a short deadline or within a tight budget.

5. Job Outlook Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than average for all occupations. Employment growth should be affected by many of the same factors that affect the growth of the staff that these managers supervise. However, job growth for managers is expected to be somewhat slower than for architects and engineers because companies are increasingly outsourcing research and development to specialized engineering services firms, leading to some consolidation of management.