Architectural and Engineering Managers

Civil Engineering Manager

Electrical Engineering Manager

Engineering Director

Engineering Group Manager

Engineering Program Manager

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Process Engineering Manager

Project Engineering Manager

Project Manager

What is an Architectural and Engineering Manager?

Architectural and Engineering Managers are professionals who oversee the planning, design, and construction of buildings and other projects in various fields, including architecture and engineering. They are responsible for coordinating and directing activities in their respective teams to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with regulations and safety standards. These managers utilize their expertise in architecture and engineering to guide their teams through complex project challenges, ensuring that all design and construction efforts align with client aspirations and regulatory requirements. They typically engage in strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication, playing a crucial role in project management from conception through completion. Their work often involves collaboration with architects, engineers, and other construction professionals to innovate and optimize project processes, ensuring high standards of quality and efficiency throughout the lifecycle of a project.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$107390.0 - $233590.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.

Technology Skills

Data base management system software
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Apache Hive
- Elasticsearch
- MongoDB
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Computer aided design CAD software
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk Revit
- Bentley MicroStation
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Object or component oriented development software
- C#
- Perl
- Scala
- Swift
Development environment software
- Apache Kafka
- Apache Maven
- Go
- Ruby

Tools Used

Scanners
Graphics tablets
- Drawing tablets
Notebook computers
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Desktop computers

Knowledge

Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

37 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R51,590pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be an Architectural and Engineering Manager in South Africa

Stepping into a leadership role within the South African built environment is a significant career milestone. With the current market showing 37 active job openings and an average salary of R51,590pm, the demand for high-level oversight is clear. Notably, our latest data indicates a steady upward trajectory in remuneration, with average monthly earnings growing from approximately R45,399 in January 2024 to an estimated R56,749 by December 2024. This financial growth reflects the increasing complexity and responsibility inherent in managing South Africa’s infrastructure and architectural landscapes.

Is Architectural and Engineering Management Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Transitioning from a technical specialist to a manager requires a shift in mindset. Review the following traits to see if you possess the psychological blueprint for this role:

Strategic Vision: Can you look beyond the immediate technical drawing to see how a project aligns with long-term commercial goals?
Decisiveness Under Pressure: Are you comfortable making high-stakes decisions regarding structural integrity or budget reallocations?
Interpersonal Diplomacy: Can you effectively mediate between demanding clients, prickly contractors, and municipal officials?
Meticulous Organisation: Do you find satisfaction in coordinating complex schedules and ensuring compliance with SANS (South African National Standards) regulations?
Leadership Empathy: Are you ready to transition from being the "best engineer/architect" to the mentor who empowers a whole team to excel?

A Day in the Life: The South African Context

A typical day for a manager in this field is a dynamic blend of office-based strategy and site-based oversight. You might start your morning in a boardroom in Sandton or Cape Town, reviewing project feasibility studies and ensuring that your team's designs meet strict environmental impact assessments. By midday, you are likely navigating the logistical nuances of the South African supply chain, perhaps addressing delays in materials or coordinating with local sub-contractors. Your afternoon could be spent mentoring a junior candidate registered with ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) or SACAP (South African Council for the Architectural Profession), followed by a rigorous session of budget forecasting. It is a role that demands mental agility, moving from high-level financial planning to granular technical problem-solving within the hour.

Education & Upskilling: Building a Solid Foundation

To succeed in South Africa, a blend of formal academic qualifications and professional registration is non-negotiable. Most successful managers hold a professional degree (BEng, BSc Eng, or BArch) from an accredited university, often supplemented by an Honours or Master's degree in Project Management or Business Administration (MBA).

Professional Registration: Maintaining your status as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) or Professional Architect (Pr.Arch) is vital for signing off on major works.
Certifications: Short courses in PMP (Project Management Professional), Prince2, or specialised South African construction law (JBCC contracts) provide a competitive edge.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD): In this sector, standing still is the same as moving backwards. You must commit to a lifelong learning programme to stay abreast of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, sustainable "green" building practices, and evolving safety legislation.

Next Steps: Test Your Readiness

The transition from a technical role to a management position is one of the most rewarding yet challenging shifts you will ever make. If you have the technical foundation and the leadership ambition, now is the time to validate your potential. Do not leave your career progression to chance; take the next step to confirm your alignment with this prestigious career path. Test your readiness now by completing our professional assessment.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

46 %
Master's degree

27 %
Post-master's certificate

12 %

Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level

Work Activities

Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities

Manage construction activities.
Analyze data to determine project feasibility.
Manage operations, research, or logistics projects.
Negotiate project specifications.
Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Work Interests

Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.