Engineering and Natural Sciences Managers are responsible for budgeting, hiring, and supervision. They are the supervisors who interact with scientists, engineers, technicians and lower level personnel. The engineering managers work with the company top executives to develop plans and goals with technical objectives for improving industrialized procedures or formalizing new production methods or processes. These engineers and natural sciences managers work on research to advance scientific methods and overall concepts. They administer an assortment of activities including new products and improving time frames on project completion. The job description includes personnel management and administrative duties that encompass oversight on team efforts, time lines and performing tasks otherwise designated to lower level staff when the need arises.
Job Responsibilities
Supervising the designers that develop machinery, products, systems, and processes are the engineering manager’s main function. Other less obvious supervisory quality is directing and coordinating operations, testing, quality assurance, and production and maintenance in manufacturing companies. Research and development (R&D) is responsible for producing new products or improving existing ones and the engineering managers often supervising this department. These managers are also responsible for the initial plans for equipment needed, equipment installation, proper operations and maintenance of machinery in manufacturing plants.
Natural sciences managers oversee physical scientists which include agricultural scientists, geologists, biologists, chemists, physicists and medical scientists. Natural sciences managers also supervise research and development departments and ensure that quality control standards are met. They plan testing cycles and production requirements. These managers will often conduct research of their own choosing in addition to overseeing other workers.
Administrative skills and personnel management are key factors in being a manager. Handling issues with employees and performing personnel reviews are also a part of the manager role.
Training and Education Requirements
To become a engineering manager, the engineer has worked for several years at an engineer or scientist level. They are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering they are working in. Many advance into business administration and complete the studies with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) or a Masters in Engineering Management (MEM). The MBA is gained if the desire is to be in the less technical management side. The MEM is for those who are eager to work with the technical areas of engineering.
The natural sciences manager will usually complete work on a bachelor’s degree in science then move to a masters and now many are obtaining Ph.D. degrees under a science discipline. Today the offerings at most colleges include secondary degrees for scientist with business management courses as part of the curriculum. The rapid growth in science has made it necessary for all scientists to constantly be on top of the knowledge base and be aware of current changes in scientific methods and advance processes. Scientists are required to perform personnel and administrative duties as well when they are in the manager position.
Salary and Wages
Salary and wages vary by area of expertise and responsibility. Managers are compensated for their knowledge and expertise in their specific field. Engineering managers receive on average $115,000 per annum. Additional manager annual salaries in engineering are: R&D departments (Science) – $141,000
Manufacturing of measuring and navigational instruments – $128,000
Electronic mechanisms and semiconductors – $127,000
Aerospace – $118,000
Architectural and related departments – $114,000*
*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Natural sciences managers receive on average $112,000 per annum. The science field is more demanding as it requires both science and business administration to be a manager. Other manager average annual salaries in the natural sciences management field are:
Manufacturing pharmaceuticals and medications – $144,000
R&D departments (Science) – $136,000
Federal Executive Branch – $102,000
Architectural and related departments – $98,000
State government – $69,000*
*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Strong communication and business management expertise are the qualities being reviewed for the scientist or engineer looking to upgrade their career to manager. In the manufacturing field, 30% of the jobs available require formal education in business management and administration. Another 30% are located in the professional, technical and scientific job field also requiring some formal education classes in business administration.*
*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Certifications
Certifications in the specialty field will enhance the qualities for the engineer or natural sciences manager. Examinations for certifications can be found in many online technical schools that will improve the knowledge and value of the scientist or engineer that wants to move into a manager position. Managers are not required to have specific certifications to qualify as a manager but the qualifications as an engineer or scientist are necessary to remain in the field as a scientist or engineer.
Professional Associations
Professional associations for engineering and natural sciences managers stem from the associations they achieved during school and on the job training. There are no official professional associations required to be a manager. Specializing in specific fields in engineering and natural sciences will provide names and locations of associations the manager may want to join and participate in to help further them on the career path. Attending scientific and engineering occupational reviews will assist the manager in maintaining information on the cutting edge and any break-through advances in the field they specialize in. Magazines and publications will help maintain that level of expertise.
