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Entry Level Engineering Manager Jobs in Columbus, OH

Collaboration with a team of engineers and mentoring of entry-level staff will be essential. Your Responsibilities * Managing multi-disciplinary engineering projects and engineers. * Developing and ...

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Entry Level Engineering Manager information

See Columbus, OH salary details

$44.9K

$141.9K

$168.1K

How much do entry level engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level engineering manager in Columbus, OH is $141,860.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,500.00 and $167,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Engineering Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Engineering Manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, foundational leadership abilities, and experience with project coordination or team supervision. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), engineering software relevant to your field, and potentially a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification are valuable. Strong communication, problem-solving, and motivational skills help you guide teams and foster collaboration. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring project success, team productivity, and smooth transition from technical roles to leadership responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level engineering managers as they transition from individual contributor roles?

Entry level engineering managers often find it challenging to balance technical tasks with new leadership responsibilities. Shifting from hands-on engineering work to managing people, projects, and priorities requires developing strong communication, delegation, and conflict resolution skills. Additionally, learning to advocate for team members while aligning with organizational goals can be demanding. Many new managers rely on mentorship, ongoing training, and feedback from peers to successfully navigate these adjustments.

What is an Entry Level Engineering Manager?

An Entry Level Engineering Manager is a professional who has recently moved into a leadership role overseeing a team of engineers, often after gaining technical experience as an engineer. Their responsibilities typically include coordinating projects, managing team performance, mentoring junior engineers, and facilitating communication between technical staff and upper management. While they may still contribute technically, their primary focus shifts to leadership, project management, and supporting their team's growth and productivity. This role serves as a stepping stone to higher management positions within engineering organizations.

What is the difference between Entry Level Engineering Manager vs Software Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Engineering ManagerSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some leadership trainingBachelor's degree in computer science or related field
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project management, cross-department collaborationDesign, develop, and test software applications
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing, engineering firmsTech companies, startups, software firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level management roles in engineeringComparing engineering roles at entry level

The Entry Level Engineering Manager typically focuses on overseeing engineering projects, leading teams, and coordinating efforts within technical environments. In contrast, a Software Engineer primarily concentrates on designing and developing software solutions. While both roles may require similar educational backgrounds, the manager role emphasizes leadership and project oversight, whereas the software engineer role centers on technical development tasks.

What cities near Columbus, OH are hiring for Entry Level Engineering Manager jobs? Cities near Columbus, OH with the most Entry Level Engineering Manager job openings:
Software Engineering Manager

Software Engineering Manager

The LaSalle Group

Columbus, OH • On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a Software Engineering Manager to lead a high-impact engineering team responsible for a mission-critical enterprise platform. This role combines people leadership, technical direction and delivery oversight, with a strong focus on stabilizing current operations while driving long-term modernization initiatives.
You will oversee a team consisting of both full-time employees and contract resources, managing multiple concurrent initiatives while helping guide the evolution of a legacy system into a more scalable and modern architecture. This is a highly visible position with direct influence on engineering strategy, delivery execution and future-state technical direction.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, coach and develop a team of engineers and technical contributors across multiple workstreams
  • Manage performance, provide feedback and support career growth for team members
  • Evaluate team structure, support hiring decisions and manage contractor-to-full-time transitions

Delivery & Execution
  • Oversee delivery of multiple initiatives, ensuring alignment to timelines and quality expectations
  • Manage Agile workflows, including planning cycles, prioritization and progress tracking
  • Communicate status, risks and dependencies to leadership and stakeholders

Technical Leadership & Modernization
  • Provide guidance on system design, architecture and engineering best practices
  • Lead efforts to modernize a legacy platform through incremental improvements and architectural evolution
  • Partner with engineering and infrastructure teams to align on long-term technical direction

AI & Continuous Improvement
  • Support adoption of modern development tools, including AI-assisted workflows and automation capabilities
  • Identify opportunities to improve development processes, quality and efficiency
  • Encourage innovation while maintaining stability in production systems

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with product, engineering and leadership teams to align on priorities and roadmap initiatives
  • Serve as a key liaison between technical teams and business stakeholders
  • Support vendor coordination and external partnerships as needed

Qualifications
Required
  • 5+ years of experience in software engineering, with prior management experience
  • Strong technical background with the ability to guide architecture and evaluate engineering work
  • Experience leading teams in an Agile development environment
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred
  • Experience working with legacy systems and modernization initiatives
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms and distributed architectures
  • Experience managing blended teams of full-time employees and contractors
  • Exposure to high-volume or transaction-heavy systems environments

Additional Details
This is a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where the role will initially focus on team stabilization, delivery execution and evaluating the current technology landscape before driving longer-term transformation. Success in this position requires strong leadership, sound technical judgment and the ability to operate effectively in an evolving environment.
Key Details
  • Location: Columbus, OH (Onsite - 4 days/week
  • Compensation: Base Salary: $175,000
  • Bonus: Eligible for 15% annual performance-based bonus
  • Equity: Not eligible
  • Benefits: Benefits available include medical, dental and vision insurance. Additional benefits may be available.

If you are a results-driven engineering leader who thrives in complex environments and enjoys driving both execution and long-term transformation, we encourage you to apply.
Paul Wallenberg
Vice President, Technology Services

LaSalle Network
#LI-PW1
LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.
LaSalle Network is the leading provider of direct hire and temporary staffing services. For over two decades, LaSalle has helped organizations hire faster and connect top talent with opportunities, from entry-level positions to the C-suite. With units specializing in Accounting and Finance, Administrative, Engineering, Marketing, Technology, Supply Chain, Revenue Cycle, Call Center, Human Resources and Executive Search, LaSalle offers staffing and recruiting solutions to companies of all sizes and across all industries.