Also called: Engineering program manager, Capture manager
Leads a big defense project, like building a new radar or submarine system, keeping it on budget and schedule.
Program managers run meetings with engineers, finance, and military customers, track hundreds of milestones, and make tradeoff decisions when problems pop up. Many are former military officers. It's one of the highest-paying paths in the industry.
BLS architectural and engineering managers, May 2024.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 10 years after high school. Bachelor's in engineering or business plus years of experience; PMP certification common.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Military. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Systems Engineering, Business Administration, Aerospace Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). BLS projects ~6% growth for engineering managers.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI tracks schedules and drafts reports; leading teams and dealing with the Pentagon stay human.
Classes: Business, AP Statistics, Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9041.
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