What Do Architectural and Engineering Managers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Architectural and Engineering Managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. They also manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.

Other tasks include:

• Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
• Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
• Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
• Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
• Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
• Assess project feasibility by analyzing technology, resource needs, or market demand.

We asked Architectural and Engineering Managers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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75% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 62% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Architectural and Engineering Managers manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects. They direct the engineering of water control, treatment, or distribution projects.

A typical day for an Architectural and Engineering Manager will also include:

• Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
• Perform administrative functions, such as reviewing or writing reports, approving expenditures, enforcing rules, or purchasing of materials or services.
• Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
• Evaluate environmental regulations or social pressures related to environmental issues to inform strategic or operational decision-making.
• Plan or direct the installation, testing, operation, maintenance, or repair of facilities or equipment.

We asked some Architectural and Engineering Managers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	99% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	54% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	91% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	45% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	36% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Architectural and Engineering Managers also present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients. They may also review, recommend, or approve contracts or cost estimates.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Architectural and Engineering Managers Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures. They might also Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.

In addition, they Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Perform administrative functions, such as reviewing or writing reports, approving expenditures, enforcing rules, or purchasing of materials or services.

To some Architectural and Engineering Managers, it is also their responsibility to Establish scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Architectural and Engineering Manager, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm

http://www.abet.org/

http://www.ncees.org/

http://www.nspe.org/