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.
Job opportunities should be better in rapidly growing disciplines, such as environmental and biomedical engineering, than in more slowly growing areas, such as electrical and mechanical engineering. Those with advanced technical knowledge and strong communication skills will likely be in the best position to become managers.
Because architectural and engineering managers are involved in the financial, production, and marketing activities of their firm, business management skills are a plus for those seeking management positions. In addition to the openings resulting from employment growth, job openings will result from the need to replace managers who retire or move into other occupations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition