what is a manufacturing engineer?
Also called an industrial engineer or process engineer, a manufacturing engineer is a special type of engineer that focuses on industrial product production. Your job is an important part of the manufacturing process that turns raw materials into finished goods. As a manufacturing engineer, you're responsible for the various machines and tools that keep a factory running. You get to both design and operate the systems that run manufacturing sites. This can include working with things like machine tools, robotic equipment, and computer networks.
what a manufacturing engineer does
Some common examples of the types of tasks that you'll perform include:
- using integrated computer technology to automate a factory
- creating a cost-effective layout for machinery
- developing a new fabrication process to produce products
- identifying broken equipment and repairing it
- supervising machine operators or other co-workers
- calculating material, production, and labor costs for a new product
- ordering and installing equipment at a factory
where a manufacturing engineer works
As you can probably guess, manufacturing engineers are very in-demand. Almost any field that produces products or goods will need a manufacturing engineer. You might end up working to make pharmaceutical items, car parts, clothes, or computer chips. Some manufacturing engineers are also involved in producing services for people to use. You can do things like help create an electric vehicle charging system or make software for computer owners.
Would working as a manufacturing engineer suit your unique blend of creativity and logical thinking? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a manufacturing engineer role.
view jobs near youaverage manufacturing engineer salary
Being a manufacturing engineer is a fantastic way to earn a high salary. Like other engineers, you make significantly more than the national average salary of $61,000. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that manufacturing engineers make an average of $95,300 per year. You'll usually be paid an annual salary, but if your business pays an hourly wage, you'll earn around $45 per hour. There tends to be some variation depending on where you work. Very low-paying jobs are around $61,000 per year while very high-paying jobs are around $130,000 per year.
factors that impact job pay
Interested in getting a high-paying manufacturing engineer job that pays upwards of six figures? Getting more experience lets you take on extra responsibilities. Manufacturing engineers who have supervisory roles will get paid more. The field you work in also impacts pay. Some high-paying fields for manufacturing engineers include:
- computer manufacturing
- electronic product manufacturing
- scientific services
- technical services
- transportation equipment manufacturing
Wondering what you can earn as a manufacturing engineer? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a manufacturing engineer is.
types of manufacturing engineer
Most manufacturing engineer job categories focus on the level of experience you have. The manufacturing engineer 1 position is an entry-level position where you often work under a supervisor. Meanwhile, manufacturing engineer 2 jobs are for those with more experience and the ability to work independently. Some jobs also have senior manufacturing engineers who oversee others or handle very large projects. Another common way to categorize manufacturing engineers is based on the industry they work in. For example, a manufacturing engineer at a car factory might be an automotive engineer while one who automates machines is a control and instrumentation engineer.
working as a manufacturing engineer
Being a manufacturing engineer is a very engaging and rewarding career. Here's what you can expect if you choose to work in this field.
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manufacturing engineer job description
What does a manufacturing engineer do each day? This job doesn't involve sticking to the same routine. Instead, you'll constantly be performing different tasks to help meet the overall goal of helping your company produce items efficiently. Some days you create reports or drafting designs at a desk, and other days you'll be meeting with executives to discuss your progress. Depending on the field you work in, you could end up programming software or grabbing a wrench to fix a piece of machinery. There is a broad blend of physical and intellectual tasks, and your responsibilities can include everything from handling budgets to installing heavy equipment. Here are some examples of other common job duties for manufacturing engineers.
- researching popular manufacturing processes to find ones that are suitable for your industry
- creating a cost-benefit analysis for a new machinery process
- designing manufacturing systems with design software
- operating machines manually or with software controls
- identifying production issues and finding ways to solve them
- working to meet production deadlines or goals
- reaching out to material suppliers about ordering new equipment
- scheduling or performing maintenance on equipment
- providing emergency repairs when items break down
- supervising other workers on the production floor
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manufacturing engineer work environment
Your job requires you to spend a lot of time in an industrial setting. Manufacturing engineers often divide their time between an office and a production floor. You get to spend some time seated in a temperature-controlled office while handling design, budgets, supply orders, and other paperwork. When you're working directly with equipment, you might end up in unusually hot or cold environments. Jobs often require being in unusually loud or dangerous areas that require protective equipment. If you're overseeing a large project at multiple branches, travel may be necessary.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include mechanics, millwrights, and welders. You'll also potentially work in close proximity with machine operators, production managers, and other manufacturing employees. Certain jobs may involve collaborating with specialists such as drug safety specialists or clinical research associates. Some manufacturing engineers will work with other engineers like electrical engineers or robotics engineers.
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work schedule
Manufacturing engineers almost always work full-time. This is a very complex job that requires you to commit a lot of time to work. Many manufacturing engineers even work overtime. This comes with great opportunities for motivated engineers since you can get a higher salary if you're willing to work extra. Your work schedule varies greatly depending on the industry you work in. Some manufacturing engineers work a standard 9-to-5 weekday schedule. However, others might work evenings, weekends, or other unusual times. Certain industries require you to set up machines before workers come in for the day, so atypical schedules are common. Furthermore, if your job involves emergency repairs, you often end up getting called into work at random times.
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job outlook for manufacturing engineer
Being a manufacturing engineer gives you access to a wide variety of exciting jobs. The BLS reports that manufacturing engineers are going to have faster-than-average job growth. By 2031, they forecast that there will be 10% more new jobs for you to consider. This high growth rate is very reassuring because it means that you are more likely to find the perfect job for your needs. With 30,600 new jobs opening soon, there is likely to be a lot of demand for manufacturing engineers. You should expect a lot of jobs to appear in flourishing industrial fields. Some of the up-and-coming fields that are likely to add a lot of new manufacturing engineer jobs include:
- motor vehicles
- food and beverage
- construction
- technology
- machinery
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benefits of working for randstad as manufacturing engineer
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as manufacturing engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
manufacturing engineer skills and education
This job requires extensive education before you are able to get a post. The bare minimum of education you'll need is a bachelor's degree in a related field. The most relevant bachelor's degree is one in manufacturing engineering. However, many employers also like people with a degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or general engineering.
For higher-level engineering jobs, a master's degree is very useful. Though master's degrees are not a requirement, they show that you have additional training. Usually, you should get a master's degree in manufacturing engineering or industrial engineering. However, if your goal is to work in a specialized field like aerospace engineering, you might want to consider a more specialized master's program.
No license is required to sign up for an entry-level position. However, most employers will require a license for any role where you are supervising others. A very useful choice is a professional engineer (PE) license. This license requires you to pass multiple exams, but it gives you the authority to create and enact engineering designs independently. Another good option is a Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) license which requires eight years of experience before you can get licensed.
skills and competencies
Years of education and experience are a great way to get the skills you need. Successful manufacturing engineers usually have these important traits.
- mathematical skills: Most manufacturing engineers need to be familiar with calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced math. These are essential for both designing items and managing budgets.
- problem-solving skills: A lot of your job revolves around solving problems. You need to be able to think about things like, "How can I fit equipment in this space?" and discover a solution.
- writing: Like many other engineering jobs, documentation is essential. Your job involves crafting reports so other people can understand the work you're doing.
- technical skills: Most manufacturing engineers work with a lot of computer software.
- mechanical skills: You might work with mechanics who can handle details for you, but you'll still need to know how machines work. You should be comfortable handling and operating a variety of machinery.
- communication skills: When supervising a team, you have to know how to instruct them clearly and concisely. Communication skills are also useful for ordering materials or explaining concepts to managers.
- creative thinking: Manufacturing engineers don't just follow instructions by rote. You have to be very flexible and willing to try new concepts.
FAQs about working as a manufacturing engineer
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about manufacturing engineers.
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is manufacturing engineering the hardest type of engineering?
Research shows that industrial and manufacturing engineers actually have the least coursework out of all engineering majors. Once you leave school, this job continues to be a little more straightforward than other types of engineering. Compared to fields like chemical engineering, it requires less academic knowledge.
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do manufacturing engineers have to perform physical labor?
At most jobs, you don't need to be prepared to do anything physical. However, if your job has you working directly with machines, you'll spend some time walking around or holding heavy equipment.
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what types of software will I need to know?
One of the most popular software for manufacturing engineers is Computer Aided Design (CAD). Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software is another popular choice. You may also need to know basic office software like Excel.
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how important is a master's degree for manufacturing engineers?
A master's degree is not a requirement to get a job. Plenty of people have long, fulfilling careers without a master's. However, if you want to immediately get access to high-paying jobs, a master's can be useful.
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will AI and automation affect manufacturing engineers?
Unlike some simpler forms of engineering, manufacturing engineering isn't always something that can be automated. It involves a lot of problem-solving and creativity, so this isn't a field that can be easily replaced with software. Your job might include working alongside AI products in the future, but so far, job outlooks don't see automation taking away any jobs.
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how do I find a job as a manufacturing engineer?
Applying for a manufacturing engineer job is easy create a Randstad profile and search our manufacturing engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!