How to Become a Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers play an important role because they are responsible for boosting productivity and creating a more efficient process. When you're in this position, you must think outside the box and use your technical skills to discover new ways to manufacture products faster without compromising their overall quality and design. You will work with different types of computers and technology to create prototypes with the design team, as well as design and test new equipment. When there are issues with the equipment, you will troubleshoot and know how to fix them to avoid delays. 

Working as a manufacturing engineer also requires installing equipment, responding to breakdowns, and finding more advanced equipment to integrate into the assembly line or facility. You will supervise engineering and technical staff while researching new ways to create a quicker process. This job also requires liaising with suppliers, researchers, customers, and development staff. You will manage budgets to ensure that expenditures for the production process do not exceed the amount of money allocated to your department. 

When it comes to crunching numbers, you'll also maintain financial and statistical records, which will be provided to executives within the company. You will maintain technical and professional knowledge by occasionally attending educational workshops.

The type of equipment you use as a manufacturing engineer includes machine tools, robots, computers, material handling equipment, and networks of computers. Sorting equipment, welders, and lasers are also necessary to fulfill your responsibilities, depending on the industry and the type of products manufactured at the plant or factory. There is also a lot of heavy-duty and advanced equipment to use in the facility, including steam and gas turbines, power-using machines, internal combustion engines, and electric generators. You will use standard computers in your office when you're conducting research and looking for ways to improve the manufacturing process. You'll need access to the internet to check into the most advanced technology available in the industry and look for techniques to improve the manufacturing process in your department.

Manufacturing engineers spend a lot of their time near the assembly line or on the manufacturing floor as they monitor their teams. Depending on the company or industry, you may also work at a construction site or gas production site. You spend a lot of time near the equipment to ensure you can monitor it and respond to any breakdowns or issues that need immediate attention. You also spend time in the office as you conduct research, write reports, manage the budget, and communicate with executives in the company via telephone or email.

When you work as a manufacturing engineer, your colleagues are the design team that you collaborate with to create different prototypes for the products you're manufacturing. You can also expect to work with other engineers, managers, and technicians within the company. You'll periodically report to executives and communicate ideas or challenges that you're encountering. This position requires a high level of social interaction, especially as you manage a team of employees who are operating the assembly line. Expect to communicate with different people throughout the day and handle whatever conflicts arise. Because you're responsible for the safety and health of the employees, you will be in close proximity to your team on a consistent basis as they spend time at the factory.

As a manufacturing engineer, you have a 40-hour work week and work during normal business hours. Overtime is common when you are working hard to meet deadlines or resolve issues that develop unexpectedly. It's possible that you will work later in the evening or on the weekends. It's common for your schedule to change depending on the season or time of year. There may be times when you have to increase production due to higher demand, especially around the holidays. Your superiors may expect you to arrive early before your team shows up to begin the workday since you monitor the equipment and help with setting everything up. The job requires you to remain flexible and be willing to work long workdays when necessary.

To become a successful manufacturing engineer, you need many skills and abilities, such as:

• Analytical thinking
• Data analysis
• Ability to oversee multiple different aspects of the facility
• Strong communication skills
• Team leadership
• The ability to research technologies and equipment
• Analyzing information 
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Financial skills
• Creativity
• Organization

Many manufacturing engineers must obtain specific certifications, depending on the industry. Common certifications include Certified Manufacturing Technologist, Certified Additive Manufacturing-Fundamentals, Certified Manufacturing Engineer, Cisco Certified Network Associate Industrial, and Six Sigma. You can also pursue an advanced degree to become more knowledgeable about the role and become an expert in software test procedures, programming languages, and operating systems. More ways to increase your qualifications include:

• Becoming more experienced using different types of tools and technology
• Learning how to use various design software programs
• Gaining experience using CAD or CAM software
• Obtaining a PE license 
• Accumulating more work experience

Manufacturing engineers are known to have well-paying and highly regarded jobs that can lead to other opportunities. The position will continue to increase in demand, even as more manufacturing processes become automated. 

There is currently a high demand for manufacturing engineers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 10% growth in this field from 2019 to 2029 with approximately 30,000 new jobs that will become available. 

In the United States, there are currently about 4.54 million people in this position, according to datausa.io. 

Manufacturing engineering is challenging because it requires creative thinking to solve problems. It's also common to work long hours.

Applying for a job as a manufacturing engineer is easy with Spherion. You can search for jobs on Spherion.com by job title and location. If you don’t see the perfect role, you can submit an open application. Once you submit your contact information and resume through Spherion’s open application, a recruiter from the office closest to you will reach out with details about potential manufacturing engineer roles that fit your skill set and professional goals.