Engineering Manager Requirements 6

[BandH]

Hi all - would like your comments on the following. What are your thoughts on the requirements for an Engineering Manager in a small engineering company. In our case, the EM will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the design office, as well as responsibility for engineering issues.

The interview is in 2 weeks

Regards,

Bandh

 

[DaveVikingPE]

PE with ten years of experience in design, working for and with designers, from junior engineer to lead (not necessarily a "senior designer"). Good organization, scheduling talents, communication skills - writing and speaking. Ability to articulate scopes of work, design porject status, and ability to interface with PM - and to protect designers from PM. Is this person an active member of organizations and associations? That might mean he/she enjoys team work, etc.

 

[BandH]

Thanks for the response - just to explain, the current EM is changing to Operations Manager, so his job is now available, and hoping to be filled internallly. I intend to put my name into the ring.

Thanks

 

[ctopher]

I agree with DaveVikingPE.
But, depending on the company and type of engineering, a Masters degree would be minimum. Remember, not all engineer's are PE's in most companies. (different thread)

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks Pro 06/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[BandH]

Sorry guys, what does PE stand for?

 

[ctopher]

Professional Engineer.
Automotive doesn't have them? Just curious, never worked in auto design.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks Pro 06/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[BandH]

Just wasn't familiar with the term - I'm in Ireland, so we don't use the term PE.

Regards,

 

[ctopher]

OK
I guess you must have an equiv, just not called PE.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks Pro 06/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[DaveVikingPE]

PEng?

 

[GregLocock]

More likely CEng or EurIng in Ireland. Either way automotive still doesn't have them, or, more to the point, use them.

That is, in most automotive engineering jobs ones professional status is not determined by membership of an institution, or exams.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[MikeHalloran]

One important qualification, not guaranteed present by exam, certificate, charter, membership, etc., is that any manager must effectively function as a

BIDIRECTIONAL BS FILTER

... with a very narrow passband, centered around getting the actual work done.

I.e., Top Management and Worker Bees must be isolated from each other's machinations. Said filter must of necessity be capable of dissipating considerable energy outside the passband.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ctopher]

What is that? I read something like that before.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[ziggi]

Basically what Mike is saying is that the typical manager must learn to recognise bulls__t. He/she must know enough about the industry/product/process to know that it does not take a machinist 3 hours to build a certain part, as said machinist will claim every single time.

Also from my own point of view two very important things: trust,
in your abilities and in your charges

personal charisma,
no one likes an ahole and will consequently do whatever they can to trip said ahole up

 

[ctopher]

... Worker Bees must be isolated from each other's machinations. Said filter must of necessity be capable of dissipating considerable energy outside the passband

I meant, I have read that quote somewhere before, in a newspaper or magazine, or something. Just curious where.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[MikeHalloran]

Now I'm curious, too; I thought it was mine. Not the concept of manager as filter; a manager explained it to me long ago. But I thought bringing the analogy closer to realizable electronic filters was original.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ctopher]

It is interesting. When I hear or read something familiar, it drives me nuts because I can't remember where I heard or read it at. oh well.
Hey! I would make a great Engineering Manager!


Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[HVACctrl]

Some Characteristics that I believe a good Engineering Manager will possess. Maybe not all, but certainly many:
- Strong Leader
- At least 5, maybe 10 years engineering experience
- Open Minded
- Fair
- Mature
- Professional
- Motivational
- Competent
- Capable of getting things accomplished
- Ability to delegate
- Visionary for the future of the company
- Able to bring employees up and cultivate them

The list could go on...

Ed

 

[svanels]

Mechanical definition:

Must amortize blows from the top, and send them in digestible proportions to the structure beneath. While kicks from beneath must be isolated from the top structure, or translated in appropriate language (ROI, money, consequences..), and prevent that the whole system collapses.

Sandwich position

Must be able to let others do the (physical) work.

 

[Tunalover]

From my experience, an engineering manager:
A. Looks out for himself and people above him in the food chain.
B. Steals your ideas and presents them as his own,
C. Hires those with the necessary skills and knowledge but is unwilling to fund training for his own people.
D. Cares only about the short-term. Can't see further than his next perforance review.
E. Is into image-management. Perception is more important that reality.
F. Will distance himself from employees that focus on performance and "the long view" rather than on make good impressions.
G. Promotes those who kiss his posterior and try to make him look good.

Can anyone add more to this list?




Tunalover

 

[MadMango]

Tunalover, I feel sorry for you if you're not being sarcastic.

[green]"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."[/green]
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
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