What Does a Manufacturing Engineer Do?

Manufacturing engineers are responsible for ensuring that the products we use every day are made with quality and efficiency in mind. They commonly work with a team of other engineers, designers, and technicians to develop new manufacturing processes or improve existing ones.

Manufacturing engineers may also be tasked with overseeing the production of specific goods. This might include everything from checking on the status of individual components to managing entire assembly lines.

Manufacturing Engineer Job Duties

A manufacturing engineer typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Working with engineers in other disciplines to create new designs for products or processes that meet customer needs
• Developing new manufacturing processes or improving existing ones to make them more efficient, safe, or environmentally friendly
• Conducting feasibility studies to determine if proposed designs will work in practice
• Evaluating machinery and tools to determine if they are appropriate for the task at hand
• Performing field tests of new equipment or processes to test how well they work in real-world conditions
• Conducting research to identify new materials or methods that can be used in the manufacturing process
• Developing manufacturing processes to ensure that they meet federal and industry standards for safety
• Conducting quality control procedures to ensure that products meet specifications
• Creating models and prototypes of new products

Manufacturing Engineer Salary & Outlook

Manufacturing engineer salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $82,500 ($39.66/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)

The employment of manufacturing engineers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Manufacturing companies will need to increase productivity and efficiency as they compete globally. In addition, demand for new and more sophisticated products is expected to continue, leading to a need for engineers to design and implement efficient production processes.

Manufacturing Engineer Job Requirements

A manufacturing engineer typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for most manufacturing engineer jobs. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering or a related field.

Many aspiring manufacturing engineers earn degrees in engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial or manufacturing engineering. These programs typically include coursework in mathematics, engineering, physics and chemistry.

Training & Experience: Manufacturing engineers typically receive on-the-job training after they are hired. This training helps them learn the specific processes and procedures of the company. It also helps them learn the specific software and computer programs the company uses.

Certifications & Licenses: Engineers who plan to work on public projects need to earn their Professional Engineer license. Each state has different requirements for the PE license. Candidates also need to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Manufacturing Engineer Skills

Manufacturing engineers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Technical skills: Manufacturing engineers use technical skills to understand and interpret complex engineering processes and procedures. They use technical skills to research and develop new manufacturing processes and procedures. They also use technical skills to troubleshoot and solve manufacturing problems.

Problem-solving: Manufacturing engineers use their problem-solving skills to identify and address issues that may affect production. They may also use their problem-solving skills to find ways to improve existing processes.

Analytical skills: Manufacturing engineers use analytical skills to solve problems and develop solutions. They use analytical skills to review processes and make improvements. They also use analytical skills to create and evaluate new processes and products.

Communication skills: Manufacturing engineers communicate with a variety of people, including other engineers, managers, suppliers and production staff. They need to be able to clearly convey information and ideas in writing and verbally. Effective communication skills can help you collaborate with others, solve problems and develop new processes and products.

Leadership skills: Manufacturing engineers often work in teams with other engineers, managers and other professionals. Leadership skills can help you take charge of a project, delegate tasks and motivate others. Leadership skills can also help you navigate workplace hierarchies and build relationships with managers and other leaders.

Manufacturing Engineer Work Environment

Manufacturing engineers work in factories or in office settings. They may be exposed to noise and to potentially hazardous materials, but they are not usually exposed to extreme conditions. They typically work 40 hours per week, but they may work more during busy periods. They may also be required to travel to other plants or sites.

Manufacturing Engineer Trends

Here are three trends influencing how manufacturing engineers work. Manufacturing engineers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Technical Talent

The manufacturing industry is in need of more technical talent, as many companies are moving towards more automation and robotics. This means that manufacturing engineers will need to be well-versed in the latest technologies and able to design and build complex systems.

As the demand for technical talent increases, manufacturing engineers will need to be able to not only understand these systems but also how to install and maintain them. In addition, they will need to be able to work with other teams, such as those in R&D, to ensure that products are developed and produced according to specifications.

More Collaboration Between Engineering and Manufacturing

There has been a trend towards more collaboration between engineering and manufacturing in recent years. This is due to the fact that both departments are now working together to create products that are both high quality and cost-effective.

As a manufacturing engineer, you can take advantage of this trend by developing strong relationships with your colleagues in other departments. This will allow you to collaborate on projects and come up with solutions that are better for everyone involved.

Automation Is Becoming More Commonplace

Automation is becoming more commonplace in the manufacturing industry, which is having a significant impact on the role of the manufacturing engineer.

As automation becomes more common, manufacturers are looking for engineers who can help them optimize their processes and make sure that everything runs smoothly. This requires a deep understanding of automation and how it can be used to improve efficiency.

How to Become a Manufacturing Engineer

A manufacturing engineer career path can be very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, use your engineering skills, and make a positive impact on the world around you.

To become a successful manufacturing engineer, it’s important to have a strong foundation in math and science. You should also be able to think creatively and come up with solutions to complex problems. Additionally, it’s helpful if you have experience working with machines and tools.

Advancement Prospects

There are many opportunities for advancement for manufacturing engineers. With experience, they can move into management positions, such as plant manager or operations manager. They may also become engineering managers, overseeing the work of a team of engineers. Those with strong project management skills may move into project management positions.

Those who wish to stay in engineering may move into positions such as process engineer, quality engineer, or research and development engineer. They may also become technical specialists or consultants. With further education, they may become engineering educators or move into other related fields, such as sales or marketing.

Manufacturing Engineer Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we believe that our team of skilled engineers is the backbone of our success. We’re looking for a talented and experienced manufacturing engineer to join our team and help us continue to produce high-quality products. The ideal candidate will have experience in process improvement, quality control, and Lean/ Six Sigma methodologies. He or she will be responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing processes, as well as troubleshooting any issues that may arise. The goal is to ensure that our products are manufactured efficiently and meet all quality standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and improve manufacturing processes by studying product requirements, researching process capabilities, and evaluating manufacturing methods
• Investigate process capability issues, recommend and implement corrective actions to resolve problems
• Assist in the development of work instructions, process flows, and other process documentation
• Participate in process audits and provide input for process improvement projects
• Perform time studies and capacity analysis to support process improvement efforts
• Develop and maintain process control plans, process capability studies, and process validation protocols
• Support new product development teams by providing input on manufacturability, process capability, and cost
• Assist in the development and implementation of lean manufacturing initiatives
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends and recommend process improvements
• Maintain knowledge of current industry trends and best practices
• Train and mentor junior engineers and technicians
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related field
• 5+ years experience in a manufacturing engineering role
• Proven experience with process improvement initiatives
• Working knowledge of quality control standards (ISO 9000, etc.) and statistical analysis
• Solid understanding of lean manufacturing principles
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or related field
• 7+ years experience in a manufacturing engineering role
• Experience leading teams of engineers and technicians
• Project management experience
• Certification in Six Sigma or other quality improvement methodologies