Hiring an Engineering Manager is a critical task that can make or break your tech team's success. Many companies struggle to find the right balance between technical expertise and leadership skills, often overlooking the importance of cultural fit and vision alignment. A great Engineering Manager not only drives technical excellence but also fosters team growth and aligns engineering efforts with business goals.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of hiring an Engineering Manager, from understanding the role to conducting effective interviews. We'll cover key skills to look for, how to write a compelling job description, and where to find top talent. For a deeper dive into specific interview questions, check out our Engineering Manager Interview Questions resource.
Table of contents
Key skills and qualifications for an Engineering Manager
How to write an Engineering Manager job description?
Top 10 Platforms to Hire Engineering Managers
Keywords to Look for in Engineering Manager Resumes
Recommended Skills Tests to Screen Engineering Managers
Structuring the Interview Stage for Engineering Manager Candidates
Understanding the Cost of Hiring an Engineering Manager
What are the ranks of Engineering Managers?
Hire the Best Engineering Managers for Your Team
Key skills and qualifications for an Engineering Manager
Defining the ideal candidate profile for an Engineering Manager can be tricky. It's important to distinguish between must-have skills and nice-to-have qualities that fit your company's specific needs.
Required skills typically include a mix of technical expertise and leadership abilities. These often encompass a strong background in computer science, proven management experience, and excellent communication skills. Preferred qualifications might include advanced degrees, specific methodologies, or experience in certain industries.
Here's a breakdown of common required and preferred skills for Engineering Managers:
| Required skills and qualifications | Preferred skills and qualifications |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field | Master's degree in Engineering Management or Business Administration |
| Proven experience as an engineering manager or similar leadership role | Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies |
| Strong project management skills with ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously | Familiarity with cloud technologies and DevOps practices |
| Excellent communication and leadership abilities | Demonstrated success in scaling engineering teams |
| Proficiency in programming languages relevant to the team's tech stack | Experience working in a startup or fast-paced environment |
How to write an Engineering Manager job description?
Once you have a clear candidate profile, the next step is to capture that information in the job description to attract the right talent. A well-crafted Engineering Manager job description can make all the difference in finding the ideal candidate.
• Highlight key responsibilities and impact: Clearly outline the Engineering Manager's responsibilities, such as leading technical teams and driving project success. This helps candidates understand how their contributions will influence the company’s goals.
• Balance technical skills with soft skills: While it’s important to specify technical abilities like proficiency in programming languages and experience with software development processes, don’t forget to include soft skills such as leadership and effective communication. This balance attracts well-rounded candidates who can thrive in your organization.
• Showcase your company’s unique selling points: Make sure to include what sets your company apart, whether it’s innovative projects, a supportive work culture, or opportunities for professional growth. Highlighting these aspects can help your job posting stand out and attract top talent.
For a comprehensive guideline on structuring this role, you can refer to the detailed Engineering Manager job description.
Top 10 Platforms to Hire Engineering Managers
Now that you have a detailed job description for an Engineering Manager, it's time to post it on job listing sites. These platforms can help you source qualified candidates effectively and reach a larger audience of potential hires.
LinkedIn is ideal for full-time positions due to its wide network of professionals and detailed profiles, enabling tailored searches for qualified candidates.
Indeed
Indeed is a comprehensive job board with a large user base, making it suitable for broad job postings and attracting a variety of candidates for full-time roles.
AngelList
AngelList is focused on startup jobs, making it an excellent choice for hiring engineering managers in early-stage companies looking for specialized talent.
Some of the best platforms to consider include LinkedIn, ideal for its professional network; Indeed, which offers broad reach; and Monster for its extensive job posting options. Additionally, FlexJobs and We Work Remotely cater specifically to remote positions, while Upwork and Toptal are great for freelance opportunities. For startups, AngelList is a key platform, whereas Hired and Glassdoor serve as excellent resources for full-time roles.
Keywords to Look for in Engineering Manager Resumes
Resume screening is a crucial first step in hiring an Engineering Manager. It helps you quickly identify candidates with the right skills and experience before investing time in interviews.
When manually screening resumes, focus on key technical and leadership keywords. Look for terms like 'software development', 'team management', 'project delivery', and specific programming languages or tools relevant to your organization.
To streamline the process, consider using AI-powered screening tools or large language models. These can quickly analyze resumes against your job requirements, saving time and improving consistency in your selection process.
Here's a sample prompt for AI-based resume screening:
TASK: Screen resumes for Engineering Manager role
INPUT: Resumes
OUTPUT:
- Candidate name and email
- Matching keywords
- Score (out of 10)
- Shortlist recommendation (Yes/No/Maybe)
KEYWORDS:
- Software Development (Java, Python, C++)
- Leadership (Team Management, Mentoring)
- Project Management (Agile, Scrum)
- Cloud Services (AWS, Azure)
- DevOps (CI/CD, Docker)
Recommended Skills Tests to Screen Engineering Managers
When hiring an Engineering Manager, skills tests are invaluable for determining a candidate's suitability for the role. These assessments help verify that candidates possess the necessary technical and managerial skills. Here are our recommendations for skills tests to screen Engineering Managers:
Leadership Psychometric Test: This test evaluates a candidate's ability to lead and make decisions, which is a key aspect of an Engineering Manager's role. It provides insights into leadership style and potential effectiveness in managing teams.
Technical Aptitude Test: Engineering Managers need a solid foundation in technical skills to guide their teams effectively. This test assesses candidates' technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities, ensuring they are equipped to tackle technical challenges.
Software System Design Online Test: Assessing a candidate's system design capabilities is essential for understanding how well they can oversee and contribute to the architecture of technical projects. This test measures a candidate's ability to design robust and scalable systems.
Project Management Test: Since Engineering Managers often manage multiple projects, this test evaluates a candidate's ability to plan, execute, and complete projects on time and within budget. It covers various aspects of project management, including resource allocation and risk management.
Critical Thinking Test: Engineering Managers need strong critical thinking skills to analyze problems and develop strategic solutions. This test helps gauge a candidate's ability to think analytically and make sound decisions.
Structuring the Interview Stage for Engineering Manager Candidates
After candidates pass the initial skills tests, it's time for technical interviews to assess their hard skills in depth. While tests are great for initial screening, interviews are key to finding the best fit for the Engineering Manager role. Let's look at some effective interview questions to evaluate candidates.
Consider asking: 'How do you prioritize tasks in a project with tight deadlines?' This reveals their project management approach. 'Describe a time you had to make a difficult technical decision.' This shows their decision-making process. 'How do you handle conflicts within your team?' This assesses their leadership style. 'What's your strategy for keeping up with new technologies?' This gauges their commitment to learning. 'How do you balance technical work with managerial responsibilities?' This helps understand their role perception and time management skills.
Understanding the Cost of Hiring an Engineering Manager
When hiring an Engineering Manager, costs can vary widely based on several factors. In the United States, average salaries range from $84,760 to $212,242, reflecting variations in experience, location, and industry.
In countries like Australia and Canada, salaries also fluctuate significantly, making it important for recruiters to stay updated on market trends. Setting a competitive salary is key to attracting the right talent.
Engineering Manager Salary in the United States
The average salary for Engineering Managers in the United States ranges from $84,760 to $212,242, with a median of $134,125. Location plays a significant role in compensation, with top-paying cities like Mountain View, CA offering median salaries of $241,358, while cities like Louisville, KY have a median of $105,111.
Factors influencing salary include experience, company size, industry, and specific technical expertise. Keep in mind that these figures can vary based on current market conditions and individual negotiations.
Engineering Manager Salary in Australia
In Australia, the salary for an Engineering Manager varies significantly by location. On average, the salary ranges from $84,292 to $191,377 AUD per year, with a median salary of about $127,011 AUD.
For example, in Sydney, the average salary is around $156,931 AUD, while in Melbourne it sits at approximately $137,611 AUD. Regional variations also exist, with cities like Newcastle offering salaries up to $188,000 AUD.
Engineering Manager Salary in Canada
In Canada, Engineering Manager salaries can vary significantly depending on the city. On average, an Engineering Manager can expect to earn between CAD 84,885 and CAD 190,612. In cities like Toronto and Vancouver, salaries tend to be higher due to demand, with median salaries around CAD 177,433 and CAD 158,577 respectively. On the other end, locations such as Cambridge offer lower median salaries around CAD 62,305. This data can help recruiters and hiring managers set competitive salary offers.
What are the ranks of Engineering Managers?
In the world of engineering, the role of an Engineering Manager often gets confused with other technical leadership roles. This confusion arises because of the layered structure within engineering teams, where distinct management levels exist, each with unique responsibilities.
Engineering Manager: This role typically involves managing a team of engineers, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. An Engineering Manager balances technical skills with people management, often acting as a bridge between the technical team and higher management.
Senior Engineering Manager: This position usually requires more experience than a standard Engineering Manager. Senior Engineering Managers often oversee multiple teams or larger projects. They ensure that the engineering processes align with company objectives and mentor Engineering Managers.
Director of Engineering: The Director of Engineering takes a strategic approach to engineering leadership. This role involves high-level planning and coordination, focusing on strategic growth and long-term project outcomes. They often liaise with other departments to ensure technological initiatives support broader company goals.
Vice President of Engineering: This is a top-level position responsible for the overall engineering strategy and vision of the company. The VP of Engineering shapes the technological direction, manages large-scale projects, and collaborates with the executive team to drive business success. You can find more about these roles in our Engineering Manager job description.
Hire the Best Engineering Managers for Your Team
Throughout this post, we explored various facets of hiring an engineering manager, from understanding their roles and drafting effective job descriptions to selecting the right platforms and creating structured interviews. It’s clear that every step in this process plays a significant role in finding the right candidate who can lead your engineering team successfully.
If there's one key takeaway, it's to focus on using precise job descriptions and relevant skills tests to enhance your hiring accuracy. Utilizing tools like the software system design online test can provide deeper insights into a candidate’s technical and managerial capabilities. With the right approach, you can hire an engineering manager who elevates your team's performance and drives innovation.
System Design Online Test
40 mins | 17 MCQs
The Software System Design Online Test uses scenario-based MCQs to evaluate candidates on their proficiency in designing software systems that meet functional and non-functional requirements. The test assesses candidates' ability to identify system requirements, choose appropriate architectures and design patterns, and create high-level design specifications. It focuses on database design, data modeling, system integration, security, performance optimization, and quality assurance.
Try System Design Online Test
FAQs
What are the key responsibilities of an Engineering Manager?
An Engineering Manager typically oversees technical projects, manages team performance, makes strategic decisions, mentors team members, and collaborates with other departments to align engineering efforts with business goals.
How can I assess an Engineering Manager's technical skills?
You can assess technical skills through coding tests, system design discussions, and technical interviews. Additionally, use software system design tests to evaluate their architectural knowledge.
What leadership qualities should I look for in an Engineering Manager?
Look for qualities such as clear communication, decision-making ability, team motivation, conflict resolution skills, and the capacity to mentor and develop team members. Our leadership psychometric test can help assess these qualities.
How important is industry experience when hiring an Engineering Manager?
While industry experience can be beneficial, it's not always necessary. Focus on transferable skills, adaptability, and the candidate's ability to learn quickly. Their leadership and technical skills often outweigh specific industry knowledge.
What's the best way to evaluate an Engineering Manager's problem-solving skills?
Use a combination of behavioral interviews, situational questions, and problem-solving scenarios. Our problem-solving test can provide objective insights into a candidate's analytical abilities.
How can I ensure the Engineering Manager will fit well with our company culture?
Conduct cultural fit interviews, involve team members in the hiring process, and use situational questions that reflect your company's values and work environment. Check out our situational interview questions for ideas.
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