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Engineering Manager

Irish_Elect_Eng

We all like to complain about our managers from time to time.

But what makes a good Engineering Manager?

If you had to pick the three most important characteristics and skills for an engineering manager what would they be?

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godtabh

You looking to hire?

Offy

Irish_Elect_Eng wrote: »

We all like to complain about our managers from time to time.

But what makes a good Engineering Manager?

If you had to pick the three most important characteristics and skills for an engineering manager what would they be?

If I had to pick a manager for myself:
1 - Intellect
2 - Experience
3 - Man management skills.

Irish_Elect_Eng

godtabh wrote: »

You looking to hire?

No, new role :-) and need to develop my reports, and while I have my own opinions, I thought it would be good to find out what other Engineers thought.

nogoodnamesleft

Irish_Elect_Eng wrote: »

We all like to complain about our managers from time to time.

But what makes a good Engineering Manager?

If you had to pick the three most important characteristics and skills for an engineering manager what would they be?

An individual who has knowledge of engineering principals dependant upon area obviously and someone who has a genuine interest and passion for their job. Not someone who was put into a management role because there was no other role suited to their "skill set" within an organisation.

A manager who isnt numerically retarded and isnt obsessed with what % of a task has been completed or looking for detailed reports on where a particular project is at. I have been plagued by managers in the past looking for progress reports sometimes daily regards what percentage its at. What they dont realise is that I would be a lot faster completing the task at hand as opposed to writing how long its going to take me!

Takes action from items discussed during meetings and follows up on them e.g. blockers, resources, expertise etc and not leaving it up to the engineer to battle/fight for.

Turbulent Bill

Irish_Elect_Eng wrote: »

If you had to pick the three most important characteristics and skills for an engineering manager what would they be?

I was at a course recently and we were asked this exact question, picking from a list of personal qualitities - my top 3 were perception, integrity and resilience. The most popular choices however (presuambly from a big sample) are perception (see other people's views), self-criticism (owning up to mistakes) and empathy/concern.

Specifically I'd want someone to communicate properly (what exactly is needed) and be honest enough to react when priorities change.

Turbulent Bill

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

A manager who isnt numerically retarded and isnt obsessed with what % of a task has been completed or looking for detailed reports on where a particular project is at. I have been plagued by managers in the past looking for progress reports sometimes daily regards what percentage its at. What they dont realise is that I would be a lot faster completing the task at hand as opposed to writing how long its going to take me!

I think this is an organisational problem rather than a personal one (unless the manager is at the top of the business). Most middle-managers are stuck between the hard problems on the engineering side and the business requirements on the corporate side, neither of which they have full control over. Excellent managers can knit all of these together, but it's a difficult skill.

Nukem

Used work with a guy a few years ago and he was one of the quietest guys ever but one of the best engineering managers.

Had a great routine of meetings, 1-1s, time management and putting right people in the right place. All the engineers that were his responsibility all still stay in touch even though we are all over Ireland now.

Think the three points earlier cover them well

1 - Intellect
2 - Experience
3 - Man management skills.