A technical project manager oversees the planning, implementation, and tracking of technical projects from start to finish. 

They work with cross-functional teams, including software developers, engineers, designers, and quality assurance teams, to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet technical requirements. 

Roles and Responsibilities of a Technical Project Manager

Some of the critical responsibilities of a technical project manager include the following:

• Project planning: Developing project plans, timelines, and budgets, as well as defining project scope and requirements.
• Team coordination: Coordinating and communicating with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and vendors to understand and meet project goals.
• Risk management: Identifying and managing project risks and issues, including developing contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies.
• Budget management: Monitoring project budgets, expenses, and resource utilisation to ensure that projects are completed within budget.
• Quality assurance: Ensuring project deliverables meet the required technical and quality standards.
• Reporting and communication: Providing regular project status updates and reports to stakeholders and management.
• Change management: Managing changes to project scope, requirements, and timelines, while minimising the impact on the project.

A technical project manager plays a critical role in the successful delivery of technical projects by overseeing all aspects of the project lifecycle and ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required technical standards.

Project Manager vs Technical Project Manager

A Project Manager and a Technical Project Manager share many of the same core responsibilities, but the two roles have some critical differences.

A Project Manager's primary role is to ensure the project succeeds and meets the business objectives. A Project Manager oversees projects from start to finish, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. They focus on the overall project goals, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation and work with cross-functional teams to ensure that project deliverables are completed on time and within budget.

Technical Project Managers are responsible for ensuring that the project is technically feasible, that the technical resources are allocated effectively, and that the project is completed according to technical standards. They work with technical teams, such as software developers, engineers, and data analysts, to ensure the project is completed on time and meets technical requirements. On the other hand, a Technical Project Manager focuses specifically on managing technical projects that require specialised knowledge and skills.

While both Project Managers and Technical Project Managers have similar responsibilities, the latter is focused on managing technical projects that require specialised knowledge and skills. The Technical Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that the project is completed according to technical standards and that technical resources are allocated effectively. In contrast, the Project Manager oversees the project and ensures it meets the business objectives.

Technical project manager: Jobs

Technical Project Managers are in high demand in many industries that require the management of technical projects. Here are some of the common sectors and job titles for Technical Project Managers:

• Software development: Technical Project Manager, Software Project Manager, Agile Project Manager, Scrum Master
• Engineering: Technical Engineering Project Manager, Technical Project Engineer, Mechanical Project Manager, Electrical Project Manager
• IT: Technical IT Project Manager, Technical Infrastructure Project Manager, Network Project Manager, Security Project Manager
• Construction: Technical Construction Project Manager, Civil Engineering Project Manager, Structural Engineering Project Manager
• Research and Development: Technical R&D Project Manager, Product Development Project Manager, Innovation Project Manager
• Manufacturing: Technical Manufacturing Project Manager, Process Engineering Project Manager, Quality Assurance Project Manager
• Healthcare: Technical Healthcare IT Project Manager, Clinical Research Project Manager, Medical Devices Project Manager
• Aerospace: Technical Aerospace Project Manager, Spacecraft Project Manager, Rocket Launch Project Manager

Technical Project Managers are needed in many industries that require the management of technical projects, such as software development, engineering, IT, construction, research and development, manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace.

Salary Outlook

The salary outlook for Technical Project Managers can vary depending on several factors such as location, industry, company size, and level of experience. Generally, Technical Project Managers are paid well due to their expertise and ability to manage technical projects successfully.

According to the data from Glassdoor, the average salary for Technical Project Managers in the United States is around $93,000 per year. However, salaries can range from around $60,000 to over $140,000, depending on location and experience level.

Some of the factors that can impact salary include:

• Location: Salaries can vary depending on the cost of living and demand for technical project managers in a particular area.
• Industry: Technical software development and IT project managers tend to earn higher salaries than other industries.
• Company size: Salaries may also vary depending on the company's size. Large companies tend to offer higher salaries than small companies.
• Experience: Technical Project Managers with several years of experience and a track record of successful projects tend to command higher salaries.

Technical Project Managers can expect to earn competitive salaries depending on several factors, including location, industry, company size, and experience level. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for Technical Project Managers in the United States is around $93,000 annually.

How to become a technical project manager?

Becoming a Technical Project Manager typically requires a combination of education, experience, and skills. Here are some steps to follow if you're interested in pursuing a career as a Technical Project Manager:

• Get a degree: While there is no specific degree required for a Technical Project Manager, having a degree in a technical field such as computer science, engineering, or IT can be helpful. You can also consider pursuing a degree in project management.
• Gain experience: To become a Technical Project Manager, you typically need experience in technical roles such as software development, IT, or engineering. You can start as a software developer, network engineer, or another specialised role to gain technical knowledge and experience.
• Develop project management skills: Besides technical skills, you must develop project management skills such as leadership, communication, risk management, and budgeting. You can take courses or obtain certifications in project management to develop these skills.
• Gain certification: Consider obtaining certification as a Project Manager. For example, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a widely recognised certification that can demonstrate your project management skills to potential employers.
• Look for job opportunities: Once you have gained technical experience and project management skills, you can start looking for Technical Project Manager job opportunities. You can search for job openings on job boards or through networking.

Becoming a Technical Project Manager typically requires technical knowledge, project management skills, and experience. 

You can start by obtaining a degree in a technical field, gaining experience in technical roles, developing project management skills, obtaining certification, and looking for job opportunities.