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Engineering Manager

Engineering

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

Mechanical EngineeringBusiness

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
  2. 2Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
  3. 3Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
  4. 4Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
  5. 5Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
  6. 6Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
  7. 7Assess project feasibility by analyzing technology, resource needs, or market demand.
  8. 8Review, recommend, or approve contracts or cost estimates.
  9. 9Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for engineering and technical work.
  10. 10Plan or direct the installation, testing, operation, maintenance, or repair of facilities or equipment.
  11. 11Identify environmental threats or opportunities associated with the development and launch of new technologies.
  12. 12Establish scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management.
  13. 13Direct recruitment, placement, and evaluation of architecture or engineering project staff.
  14. 14Plan, direct, or coordinate survey work with other project activities.
  15. 15Perform administrative functions, such as reviewing or writing reports, approving expenditures, enforcing rules, or purchasing of materials or services.
  16. 16Develop or implement programs to improve sustainability or reduce the environmental impacts of engineering or architecture activities or operations.
  17. 17Evaluate the environmental impacts of engineering, architecture, or research and development activities.
  18. 18Evaluate environmental regulations or social pressures related to environmental issues to inform strategic or operational decision-making.
  19. 19Solicit project support by conferring with officials or providing information to the public.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • MPM
  • Civil PM
  • R&D Manager
  • Electrical PM
  • Project Manager
  • Research Manager
  • Architect Manager
  • Project Coordinator
  • Engineering Director
  • Engineering Supervisor

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. Typical entry

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Visual Art (PSV)Draws directly on Design — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Technical Comm. GraphicsDraws directly on Design — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Engineering DrawingDraws directly on Design — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Design86%

    Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing

  • Engineering and Technology86%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Mathematics78%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Administration and Management78%

    BusinessEconomics

  • English Language77%

    English

  • Customer and Personal Service76%

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherRarely
  • Noisy environmentOften
  • Time spent sittingMost of the time

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

11%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Hotel & Tourism Manager

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Architectural and Engineering Managers

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org