4 ways to become an engineering manager

Progressing into Engineering Management is a natural step for many professional engineers, no matter the specialisation you work in. In this blog, we explore how to become an engineering manager and the four key routes you can take to progress.

By moving into a management roles, you could have the opportunity to  influence change and innovation, multiply your impact, and become multi-skilled in both management and technology. There has never been a more important time for businesses to have technically proficient managers, so filling this skills gap boosts the sector overall.

Moving into managerial positions can be intimidating, regardless of the industry you are looking to progress within.

Therefore, knowing what route to take and what will suit you best in your field will put you in a great position when looking to move into a management role.

Areas of the engineering sector that offer progression routes into management include:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Oil and Gas Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering

Usually these routes involve gaining a high-level qualification (Level 7) to prove your management knowledge and capabilities. However, there is also the opportunity to progress naturally through the sector.

This blog will explore both options and tips and advice to get there.

 

Route 1: Engineering Management MSc

The Engineering Management MSc course would be ideal if you are an early level engineer looking to accelerate your career progression into management, or an experienced engineer looking to gain up-to-date knowledge about trends and the sector.

The course aims to meet the needs of the constantly changing engineering landscape and close the skills gap within management across the sector. Engineers designed and deliver the course, so it meets the most recent demands of the industry through relevant engineering case studies.

For example, you will learn high-demand skills in as emerging and disruptive technologies, business strategy and decision making. Tested management strategies are supported with innovative engineering theories and processes.

Using the knowledge gained in this course, you could influence the strategy of the company you work for, aiding them with risk evaluation and identifying opportunities with new technologies, management techniques and approaches to the market.

Route 2: Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate

The Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate is both a gateway to the first route, the Engineering Management Masters programme, and an award in its own right. Like the MSc, it has been designed by engineers to meet industry needs.

This course is perfect for you if you don’t have the option to commit to the full Masters degree. 

That’s because this course provides the foundation to progress onto the Masters by studying the first four modules of the course to equip you with the skills and confidence required for management positions. For example, you will gain skills in business planning, innovation and creativity in engineering, and managing major engineering projects.

You will learn detailed techniques and methods in strategic thinking and project management, which will enhance the experience you’ve already gained as a professional engineer.  You’ll be able to demonstrate skills in managing multiple projects, for example, or ideas and innovation, which can enhance your career prospects.

Route 3: MBA

The third route when exploring how to become an engineering manager is a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), one of the most common Masters degrees in the world. 

The advantage of an MBA is that it can be applied to any industry and gives you management expertise, which you then apply to your role.

An MBA focuses generally on the business skills required to become a successful manager, such as strategic thinking, managing people, and global operations.  

An MBA also gives you the opportunity to network with managers across a wide variety of sectors, including engineering, marketing and education.

MBA course content relates to real-world challenges in a range of sectors including finance and the creative industries, so you can apply the management theory to a range of sectors and career backgrounds.  . The MBA programme content would be less specific to engineering, but you can adapt the broader  skills to suit your sector or career path.

Route 4: Getting a promotion

The fourth way is to get a promotion from your technical role into a managerial position. Often this might take longer than taking a qualification because you will have to prove through working practices that you are a suitable candidate for promotion.

In some institutions, you might still need some basic training or qualifications in order to progress and keep up-to-date with industry trends; this will help give you a skills boost and confidence to demonstrate to your seniors that you are ready for the role. According to the Engineering Institute of Technology, there are some key skills engineering employers look for in managers, such as engineering knowledge, communication, professionalism, planning, safety awareness, quality orientation and cultural adaptability. Choosing the right route to become an engineering manager.

Rising to the challenge of becoming a leader, regardless of the sector, is not an easy or straightforward task.

You need to know what the business you are working for wants to see in a managerial candidate and map your route to management backwards from there.

Make sure that you weigh up your options and choose a route that suits your personal and professional development.

Related blogs

• 3 ways to harness creativity in engineering management
• MSc vs MBA Engineering Management.