An engineering supervisor manages engineering projects and staff. To become an engineering supervisor, you will typically need to secure a high school education and then earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. Earning a master's degree may boost your chances of success, but may not be required. You will, however, likely need extensive related work experience and a number of skills, including those that involve leadership and communication. In some cases, you may also need an engineering licensing to land this job.
In order to become an engineering supervisor, you will first have to become an engineer. This usually requires graduating from high school or earning a General Educational Development® (GED®) diploma and then continuing on to college. Once in college, you will typically have to spend about four years earning a bachelor's degree in engineering. There are many types of engineering programs you can pursue, and you may improve your chances for success if you earn a degree in the field of engineering in which you wish to work and eventually become a supervisor. For example, you could choose to major in mechanical, electrical, agricultural, or biomedical engineering when you want to become an engineering supervisor.
You can also choose to earn a master's degree when you want to become an engineering supervisor. This advanced degree isn't always required, but it might lead to more job opportunities and the chance to advance faster within the company that hires you. Additionally, there are some companies that only offer supervisory positions to individuals who have earned graduate-level degrees.
Aside from earning a degree in engineering, you will typically need experience to become an engineering supervisor. In order to manage others, you will need to know a good deal about the engineering field in which you will work, and getting hands-on experience is often the best way to obtain this type of knowledge. The amount of experience you will need to become a supervisor in this field will depend on the company that hires you, but many companies require several years of experience for this position.
Depending on the jurisdiction in which you plan to work, you may also need a license to work as an engineer to become an engineering supervisor. Sometimes, licensing is required of individuals who will work with the public once they become engineers. Licensing requirements vary form place to place but often include gaining at least a few years of experience in the engineering field and passing exams.
In addition to a degree, experience, and any required licensing, you may do well to develop critical skills when you want to become an engineering supervisor. You will usually need leadership and communication skills as well as analytical and organizational abilities. Decision-making and assessment skills will likely prove important as well.
