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Engineering, Science, and Data Processing Managers

(D.O.T.  002.167-018; 003.167-034 and -070; 005.167-010 and -022;
007.167-014; 008.167-010; 010.161-010, -014, and .167- 018;
011.161-010; 012.167-058 and -062; 018.167-022; 019.167-014;
022.161-010; 024.167-010; 029.167-014; 162.117- 030; 169.167-030 and
-082; and 189.117-014)

Nature of the Work

Engineering, science, and data processing managers plan, coordinate,
and direct research, development, design, production, and computer
related activities.  They supervise a staff which may include
engineers, scientists, technicians, computer specialists, data
processing workers, along with support personnel.

   Engineering, science, and data processing managers determine
scientific and technical goals within broad outlines provided by top
management.  These goals may include the redesign of an industrial
machine, improvements in manufacturing processes, the development of
a large computer program, or advances in basic scientific research.
Managers make detailed plans for the accomplishment of these goals
for example, they may develop the overall concepts of new products
or identify problems standing in the way of project completion.
They forecast costs and equipment and personnel needs for projects
and programs.  They hire and assign scientists, engineers,
technicians, computer specialists, data processing workers, and
support personnel to carry out specific parts of the projects,
supervise their work, and review their designs, programs, and
reports.

   Managers coordinate the activities of their unit with other units or
organizations.  They confer with higher levels of management; with
financial, industrial production, marketing, and other managers; and
with contractors and equipment suppliers.  They also establish
working and administrative procedures and policies.

   Engineering managers direct and coordinate production, operations,
quality assurance, testing, or maintenance in industrial plants; or
plan and coordinate the design and development of machinery,
products, systems, and processes.  Many are plant engineers, who
direct and coordinate the maintenance, operation, design, and
installation of equipment and machinery in industrial plants.
Others manage research and development activities that produce new
products and processes or improve existing ones.

   Natural science managers oversee activities in agricultural science,
chemistry, biology, geology, meteorology, or physics.  They manage
research and development projects and direct and coordinate testing,
quality control, and production activities in industrial plants.

   Electronic data processing managers direct, plan, and coordinate
data processing activities.  Top level managers direct all
computer-related activities in an organization.  Others manage
computer operations, software development, or data bases.  They
analyze the data processing requirements of their organization and
assign, schedule, and review the work of systems analysts, computer
programmers, and computer operators.  They determine computer
hardware requirements, evaluate equipment options, and make
purchasing decisions.

   Some engineering, science, and data processing managers head a
section of perhaps 3 to 10 or more scientists, engineers, or
computer professionals.  Above them are heads of divisions composed
of a number of sections, with as many as 15 to 50 scientists or
engineers.  A few are directors of large laboratories or directors
of research.

   Engineering managers direct the research, development, and
manufacture of a product.

Working Conditions

Engineering, science, and data processing managers spend most of
their time in an office.  Some managers, however, may also work in
laboratories or industrial plants, where they normally are exposed
to the same conditions as research scientists and may occasionally
be exposed to the same conditions as production workers.  Most work
at least 40 hours a week and may work much longer on occasion to
meet project deadlines.  Some may experience considerable pressure
to meet technical or scientific goals within a short time or within
a tight budget.

Employment

Engineering, science, and data processing managers held about
337,000 jobs in 1992.  Although these managers are found in almost
all industries, nearly two-fifths are employed in manufacturing,
especially in the industrial machinery and equipment, electrical and
electronic equipment, transportation equipment, instruments, and
chemicals industries.  They also work for engineering, management,
and computer and data processing services companies.  Others work
for government, colleges and universities, and nonprofit research
organizations.  The majority are most likely engineering managers,
often managing industrial research, development, and design
projects.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Experience as an engineer, mathematician, natural scientist, or
computer professional is the usual requirement for becoming an
engineering, science, or data processing manager.  Consequently,
educational requirements are similar to those for scientists,
engineers, and data processing professionals.

   Engineering managers start as engineers.  A bachelor's degree in
engineering from an accredited engineering program is acceptable for
beginning engineering jobs, but many engineers increase their
chances for promotion to manager by obtaining a master's degree in
engineering or business administration.  A degree in business
administration or engineering management is especially useful for
becoming a general manager.

   Natural science managers usually start as a chemist, physicist,
biologist, or other natural scientist.  Most natural scientists
engaged in basic research have a Ph.D.  degree.  Some in applied
research and other activities may have lesser degrees.  First-level
science managers are usually specialists in the work they supervise.
For example, the manager of a group of physicists doing optical
research is almost always a physicist who is an expert in optics.

   Most data processing managers have been systems analysts, although
some may have experience as programmers, operators, or in other
computer specialties.  There is no universally accepted way of
preparing for a job as a systems analyst.  Many have degrees in
computer or information science, computer information systems, or
data processing and have experience as computer programmers.  A
bachelor's degree is usually required and a graduate degree often is
preferred.  A typical career advancement progression in a large
organization would be from programmer to programmer/analyst, to
systems analyst, and then to project leader or senior analyst.  The
first real managerial position might be as project manager,
programming supervisor, systems supervisor, or software manager.

   In addition to educational requirements, scientists, engineers, or
computer specialists generally must have demonstrated above-average
technical skills to be considered for promotion to manager.
Superiors also look for leadership and communication skills, as well
as managerial attributes such as the ability to make rational
decisions, to manage time well, to organize and coordinate work
effectively, to establish good working and personal relationships,
and to motivate others.  Also, a successful manager must have the
desire to manage.  Many scientists, engineers, and computer
specialists want to be promoted but actually prefer doing technical
work.

   Some scientists and engineers become managers in marketing,
personnel, purchasing, or other areas or become general managers.

Job Outlook

Employment of engineering and science managers is expected to
increase faster than the average for all occupations through the
year 2005.  Opportunities for those who wish to become engineering,
science, and data processing managers should be closely related to
the growth of the occupations they supervise and the industries in
which they are found.  (See the statements on natural scientists,
engineers, computer programmers, and computer scientists and systems
analysts elsewhere in the Handbook.)

   Underlying much of the growth of managers in science and engineering
are competitive pressures and advancing technologies which force
companies to update and improve products more frequently.  Research
and investment in plants and equipment to expand output of goods and
services and to raise productivity also will add to employment
requirements for science and engineering managers involved in
research and development, design, and the operation and maintenance
of production facilities.

   Many of the industries which employ engineers and scientists derive
a large portion of their business from defense contracts.  Because
defense expenditures are being reduced, employment growth and job
outlook for managers in these industries may not be as strong in the
future as in the 1980's, when defense expenditures were increasing.

   Employment of data processing managers will increase rapidly due to
the fast paced expansion of the computer and data processing
services industry and the increased employment of computer systems
analysts.  Large computer centers are consolidating or closing as
small computers become more powerful, and more automated systems are
resulting in fewer opportunities for data processing managers at
computing centers.  However, as the economy expands and as advances
in technology lead to broader applications for computers,
opportunities should increase and employment growth should be brisk.

   Despite growth in employment, most job openings will result from the
need to replace workers who leave the occupation.  Because many
engineers, natural scientists, and computer specialists are eligible
for management and seek promotion, there can be substantial
competition for these openings.

Earnings

Earnings for engineering, science, and data processing managers vary
by specialty and level of management.  Science and engineering
managers had average salaries that ranged from $50,000 to well over
$100,000 for the most senior managers in large organizations,
according to the limited data available.  Data processing managers
had salaries that ranged from $35,000 to $80,000.  Managers often
earn about 15 to 25 percent more than those they directly supervise,
although there are cases where some employees are paid more than the
manager who supervises them, especially in research.

   In addition, engineering, science, and data processing managers,
especially those at higher levels, often are provided more benefits
than non-managerial workers in their organizations.  Higher level
managers often are provided with expense accounts, stock option
plans, and bonuses.

Related Occupations

The work of engineering, science, and data processing managers is
closely related to that of engineers, natural scientists, computer
personnel, and mathematicians.  It is also related to the work of
other managers, especially general managers and top executives.

Sources of Additional Information

   Contact the sources of additional information on engineers, natural
scientists, and systems analysts that are listed in statements on
these occupations elsewhere in the Handbook.
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