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Job Description
Manufacturing engineering jobs center on designing, evaluating, maintaining, operating, and improving manufacturing procedures and equipment used in a manufacturing process. The manufacturing engineer also ensures that the products manufactured will meet the specifications outlined in the design. This might mean that the engineer tests the product to ensure quality standards and efficiency.
The manufacturing engineer also helps plan the factory layout to optimize production in the facility. They analyze and oversee the workflow of the manufactured items and determine where equipment needs to be placed and how much space is required to accommodate the manufacturing.
The engineer also provides management with data to help them better understand what might be needed in a future manufacturing process. They will also ensure that the manufacturing process used is compliant with the laws and regulations surrounding them.
A manufacturing engineer is tasked with calculating production, material, and labor costs while keeping production costs within budgetary constraints.
Manufacturing engineers usually work in plants and factories and train factory workers on the production line. Knowledge of product design, assembly, fabrication, materials, and tooling is vital.
Manufacturing engineering encompasses various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering. But each manufacturing engineering job will have specific duties and qualifications for the position.
Jobs are available in all sectors within the manufacturing engineering field, including biotechnology, biological and medical engineering, pharmaceuticals, plastics, oil, and more.
When you choose a job in manufacturing engineering, you play a vital role in raising the standard of living for the world around you as you will help create products that will make life better.
Manufacturing Engineering Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t report specifically on manufacturing engineering earnings, but similar occupations show an average salary of around $89,000. Other online career resources show that the average salary for a manufacturing engineer is approximately $76,000.
However, depending on what state you live in and what industry you work for, your salary may be higher or lower. For instance, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and New Jersey pay manufacturing engineers higher salaries while North Carolina, Florida, and Alabama pay the lowest wages among manufacturing engineers.
All-in-all, states along the East coast offer more favorable salaries.
For Instances
- Validation Associates, LLC has many biomedical and biotechnology engineer positions listed across various job sites and has an open invitation for talented and qualified engineering specialists on its website.
- Rapid Micro Biosystems has available manufacturing engineering jobs at its headquarters in Lowell, MA.
- General Motors has listed several open manufacturing engineer positions at its Ohio, New York, Tennessee, and Michigan locations, among others.
Training and Requirements
Manufacturing engineers usually need a Bachelor of Science, engineering, or similar degree. But some employers prefer a master’s degree over a bachelor’s degree, particularly for advanced positions.
Many companies also want their manufacturing engineers to stay apprised of industry trends and require them to receive certification. A Certified Manufacturing Engineering Certification (CMfgE) can be obtained through The Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
In addition to the education requirements, a manufacturing engineer should work well under tight schedules and deadlines and thrive at working under pressure. They must also have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You should also be adept at skillful planning and have an analytical mind if you want to work as a manufacturing engineer. The ability to both work independently and lead through teamwork is also helpful.
Of course, a manufacturing engineer will need to have the technical and IT knowledge and skills that are vital to succeeding at the job. Experience with CAD and CAM software will help you get your foot in the door when applying for a manufacturing engineer job. You’ll also need to be familiar with the equipment used in the manufacturing process.
