- 1.Engineering Managers earn a median salary of $169,510 with 15% projected growth (BLS, 2025)
- 2.The key framework for Engineering Managers is the '3 Ps': People (retention, progression, psychological safety), Process (collaboration, efficiency), and Product (delivery aligned with business objectives). Most engineering managers are engineers at heart who now solve problems through others.
- 3.Engineers who are passionate about helping people grow, optimizing team processes, and driving organizational success. Strong communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to coach others are essential.
- 4.Daily work involves diverse technical and collaborative tasks
- 5.Top states: California ($114,750), New York ($97,750), Massachusetts ($95,200)
What Is a Engineering Manager?
Engineering Managers direct, delegate, and motivate teams of engineers to achieve organizational goals. They combine technical leadership with people management, overseeing projects and strategic planning. Unlike Tech Leads who remain hands-on with code, Engineering Managers focus primarily on people—recruiting, career development, performance management, and team dynamics—while maintaining enough technical knowledge to make informed decisions.
What makes this role unique: The key framework for Engineering Managers is the '3 Ps': People (retention, progression, psychological safety), Process (collaboration, efficiency), and Product (delivery aligned with business objectives). Most engineering managers are engineers at heart who now solve problems through others.
Best suited for: Engineers who are passionate about helping people grow, optimizing team processes, and driving organizational success. Strong communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to coach others are essential.
With 524,800 professionals employed nationwide and 15% projected growth, this is a strong career choice. Explore Computer Science degree programs to get started.
Engineering Manager
SOC 11-3021A Day in the Life of a Engineering Manager
A typical day for a engineering manager involves diverse responsibilities across different phases of work.
How to Become a Engineering Manager: Step-by-Step Guide
Total Time: 4 yearsChoose Your Entry Path
Select the educational path that fits your situation and learning style.
- Tech Lead transitioning to people management
- Senior Engineer moving to management track
- Project Manager with engineering background
- First engineering hire at a startup
Master Core Tools
Learn the essential tools and technologies for this role.
- Project Management Tools: Jira, Linear, Asana for sprint planning, tracking, and resource allocation
- Communication Platforms: Slack, Teams, Zoom for team and stakeholder communication
- Performance Management: Lattice, 15Five, Culture Amp for reviews and feedback
- Hiring Tools: Greenhouse, Lever, LinkedIn for recruiting and hiring
Build Technical Skills
Develop proficiency in core concepts and patterns.
- Technical Background (Critical): Deep enough understanding to make informed decisions and earn team respect
- Project Management (Critical): Planning, scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, delivery on time and budget
- System Design Understanding (High): Ability to participate in architectural discussions and guide technical direction
- Data-Driven Decision Making (High): Using metrics to measure outcomes, not just outputs (reduced bugs, met KPIs)
Build Your Portfolio
Create projects that demonstrate your skills to employers.
- Complete this step to progress in your career
Advance Your Career
Progress through career levels by building experience and expertise.
- Engineering Manager (6-8 years total) - Manage a team, focus on People/Process/Product
- Senior Engineering Manager (10+ years) - Larger scope, manage managers
- Director of Engineering - Set technical direction for division, strategic mindset
- VP of Engineering - Lead large teams, bridge strategy and execution
Engineering Manager Tools & Technologies
Essential Tools: Engineering Managers rely heavily on these core technologies:
- Project Management Tools: Jira, Linear, Asana for sprint planning, tracking, and resource allocation
- Communication Platforms: Slack, Teams, Zoom for team and stakeholder communication
- Performance Management: Lattice, 15Five, Culture Amp for reviews and feedback
- Hiring Tools: Greenhouse, Lever, LinkedIn for recruiting and hiring
- Documentation: Confluence, Notion for team processes and knowledge sharing
Also commonly used:
- Engineering Metrics: Waydev, LinearB, Sleuth for measuring team performance
- Code Review Systems: GitHub, GitLab for maintaining technical awareness
- Budgeting Tools: Spreadsheets, financial planning software for resource management
- Scheduling: Calendly, Google Calendar for meeting management
- Feedback Tools: Donut, Know Your Team for team pulse and engagement
Emerging technologies to watch:
- AI-Powered Analytics: AI tools for predicting team performance and identifying risks
- Remote Team Management: Specialized tools for distributed team coordination
- Employee Experience Platforms: Integrated platforms for engagement, learning, and development
- OKR Tracking: Objectives and Key Results management systems
Engineering Manager Skills: Technical & Soft
Successful engineering managers combine technical competencies with interpersonal skills.
Technical Skills
Deep enough understanding to make informed decisions and earn team respect
Planning, scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, delivery on time and budget
Ability to participate in architectural discussions and guide technical direction
Using metrics to measure outcomes, not just outputs (reduced bugs, met KPIs)
Managing engineering budgets, headcount planning, resource distribution
Documentation, proposals, technical communication to stakeholders
Soft Skills
Hiring, developing, retaining talent; performance management; career growth
Articulating vision, negotiating with stakeholders, conveying complex information simply
Mediating disputes, navigating disagreements, maintaining team cohesion
Developing team members, providing feedback, fostering growth
Engineering Manager Certifications
Certifications can increase your earning potential and demonstrate expertise to employers.
Building Your Portfolio
Must-have portfolio projects:
- See detailed requirements in the sections above
Engineering Manager Interview Preparation
Common technical questions:
- See detailed requirements in the sections above
Behavioral questions to prepare for:
- See detailed requirements in the sections above
Engineering Manager Career Challenges & Realities
Like any career, engineering managers face unique challenges in their daily work.
Engineering Manager vs Similar Roles
Engineering Manager vs Tech Lead:
Engineering Manager vs Director:
Engineering Manager vs V P Engineering:
Salary Negotiation Tips
Research market rates and be prepared to demonstrate your value during salary negotiations.
Engineering Manager Salary by State
Engineering Manager Job Outlook & Industry Trends
4% growth projected 2024-2034 with 14,500 annual openings. Companies increasingly recognize need for dedicated people managers separate from technical leads. Technology moves fast—success requires adaptability and continuous learning.
Hot industries hiring engineering managers: Big Tech - Google, Meta, Amazon with well-defined EM tracks, Fintech - High complexity, regulatory requirements, premium pay, AI/ML Companies - Rapidly scaling teams need strong management, Healthcare Tech - Growing technical complexity, compliance needs, SaaS Companies - Scaling engineering orgs, product-focused
Emerging trends: Remote-First Management - Leading distributed teams across time zones, AI Integration - Managing teams building and using AI tools, Developer Experience (DevEx) - Focus on engineer productivity and satisfaction, Engineering Metrics - Data-driven approach to team performance
Best Computer Science Programs
Explore top-ranked programs to launch your engineering manager career.
Engineering Manager FAQs
Data Sources
Official employment and wage data for engineering managers
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Research and industry insights
Related Resources
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.