Manufacturing Engineers

Career summary

Manufacturing engineers do research to find the best ways to make products. They look for ways to produce high quality products while reducing the cost of making them.

Manufacturing engineers must have a good understanding of:

• Tooling
• Production
• Assembly
• Logistics
• Quality control

They design automated machines to complete tasks in the production cycle. This includes creating robots that can complete tasks that are dangerous or unpleasant for humans.

Engineers calculate costs and materials required for a project. They often oversee the system layout and set up. They test new systems to make sure they create new products that are safe, of high quality, and sustainable.

Manufacturing engineers evaluate existing production lines to identify problems and make recommendations for ways to solve the problems. They use math and science to conduct research. They write reports and keep detailed records.

The green sector of the economy requires more efficient manufacturing. Engineers look for ways to build factories that have less impact on the environment. They also make sure that factories use the least amount of energy and raw materials. In older factories, manufacturing engineers try to find ways to reduce emissions.

Manufacturing engineers work with supply chain managers and validation engineers. They also work with supervisors, directors, and other engineers involved in production.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Chemical Engineers
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Industrial Engineers
• Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
• Mechanical Engineers
• Robotics Engineers
• Supply Chain Managers
• Validation Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to manufacturing engineers.

• Find better ways to make products. This includes reducing the energy, materials, and pollution involved with production. Compare the costs of using sustainable methods with other methods.
• Advise others on how to improve the ways they make products. This includes finding ways to improve quality, lower costs, or make less pollution.
• Use new methods and processes to improve current systems. This includes creating new technology to reduce costs, energy use, pollution, and waste.
• Oversee technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff, or other engineers.
• Test new and existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes.
• Check product designs for completeness, ease of use, and impact on the environment.
• Train workers in new or existing methods.
• Report on how well a factory makes products. This includes the speed of production, the production schedule, and other information.
• Find ways to use fewer materials in making or packaging products.
• Design, install, and troubleshoot new equipment.

Common work activities

Manufacturing engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Analyze data or information
• Process information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Document and record information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Develop and build teams
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Control machines and processes
• Teach others
• Schedule work and activities
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Coach others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, manufacturing engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They work with other engineers, technicians, and managers throughout the day.
• Communicate with people daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of workers.
• Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
• Are responsible for the outcomes of work and for the work performed by others.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.
• Work as part of a project team.

Physical work conditions

• Nearly every day wear safety attire or protective gear.
• Usually work indoors which may not be temperature-controlled. Occasionally work in outdoor spaces.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• Are occasionally exposed to contaminants.
• Are occasionally exposed to hazardous equipment.
• Sometimes work within a few feet of other workers.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and accurate in their work. Errors can delay production, which costs the employer money.
• Rarely consult a superior before making a decision or setting tasks and goals.
• Meet strict weekly deadlines. This makes the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.
• Daily make decisions that strongly impact coworkers and their company.
• Repeat the same mental and physical tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a standard work week, but overtime is common.

Physical demands

Manufacturing engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for manufacturing engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for manufacturing engineers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

Skills and abilities

Manufacturing engineers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.

Work with people

• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Design equipment and technology to meet user needs.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Manufacturing Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Engineering, General
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Manufacturing Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Pre-Engineering

Training

To work as a manufacturing engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering or a related field; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program. You may also be able to work in this field by completing a degree in industrial engineering or a related specialty.

Some two-year colleges have agreements with the engineering departments at four-year schools. These agreements allow you to take your first two years of courses at the two-year college. Then you move to the university for the last two years. Some liberal arts schools have similar programs to prepare you for engineering schools.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching manufacturing engineering you need a PhD. Also, many engineers go to graduate school to specialize in an area of manufacturing engineering.

Work experience

Consider participating in an internship with a manufacturing firm while in college. An internship offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

In general, manufacturing engineers receive on-the-job training. The length of training varies by employer. Recent graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. As you gain knowledge and experience you have greater independence and work on more difficult tasks.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Manufacturing engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Trigonometry and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science
• Drafting
• Manufacturing Systems

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require that manufacturing engineers have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. Many employers require a master's degree and experience in the manufacturing world. Employers also look for people with strong communication, computer, and technical skills. Certification or licensing may also be required.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who wish to be licensed as professional engineers must pay $65 to the State for an initial national exam application. After State approval, engineers must pay for the registration examination from the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. The license renewal fee is $116 every two years. Not all engineers in Washington must be licensed.

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

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Wages

Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for manufacturing engineers. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other engineers."

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The engineer's level of training, experience, and responsibility also affect wages.

Manufacturing engineers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

National wage information is not available specifically for manufacturing engineers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other engineers."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

#Currently, there is no specific statewide outlook information available for manufacturing engineers. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other engineers.”

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Aerospace product and parts manufacturers
• Engineering firms
• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• Motor vehicle parts manufacturers
• Navigational and measuring instrument manufacturers
• Semiconductor and parts manufacturers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow about as fast as average. International competition will limit the growth of this occupation. However, demand will grow because competitive pressures will force companies to improve and update manufacturing facilities and product designs to be more cost-effective.

Job openings will continue to arise from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for manufacturing engineers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other engineers."

Other resources

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Society for Quality 
PO Box 3005
Milwaukee, WI 53201-3005
800.248.1946

Association for Manufacturing Technology 
7901 Westpark Drive
McLean, VA 22102
800.524.0475
703.893.2900

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Engineering Your Future 

MCMA: Motion Control and Motor Association 
900 Victors Way, Suite 140
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.494.6088

National Academy of Engineering 
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.3200

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Tooling & Machining Association 
1357 Rockside Road
Cleveland, OH 44134
800.248.6862

Parenteral Drug Association 
Bethesda Towers
4350 East West Highway, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814

Precision Metalforming Association 
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard
Independence, OH 44131
216.901.8800

Society of Manufacturing Engineers 
1000 Town Center, Suite 1910
Southfield, MI 48075
313.425.3000

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering 

TryEngineering.org 
(Information on manufacturing engineering technology)

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Manufacturing Engineers (17-2199.04) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Manufacturing Engineer (012.167-042) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional