A manufacturing engineer is an expert in industrial production who studies and develops methods for designing, manufacturing, and shipping a variety of products. He or she determines the most efficient ways to employ industrial machinery and assembly line workers. Manufacturing engineers determine when new machinery or policies are required and work closely with management to ensure that plans are implemented in a timely and cost-effective manner.
To keep costs low and profits high, many industries rely on the expertise of skilled manufacturing engineers. Prefabricated building materials, consumer electronics, furniture, automobiles, and packaged food, among hundreds of other specialty items, are all made with the help of professionals. A manufacturing engineer conducts extensive research on existing technology and production techniques, regardless of the industry. He or she is often in charge of deciding what kind of equipment to build or buy, as well as where machine stations should be placed on the factory floor.
A manufacturing engineer focuses on improving worker safety and satisfaction in addition to increasing the efficiency of production techniques. To determine the effectiveness of company policies, he or she may write training manuals, develop new worker classes, and conduct regular facility tours and personal performance reviews. To keep workplace accidents and equipment malfunctions to a minimum, the engineer also creates and enforces safety rules. A professional recognizes the importance of a well-trained and motivated workforce to a company’s overall success.
Manufacturing engineers are typically well-organized and meticulous in their work. To design schematics for new processes and systems, the job requires advanced math, physics, and computer skills. A manufacturing engineer’s ability to communicate is also important, as he or she must describe his or her recommendations to executives and explain new procedures to floor workers. Engineers in many industries also use their marketing and general business management skills to determine which types and quantities of goods to produce in order to maximize profit margins versus cost margins.
A manufacturing engineer typically needs at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Manufacturing engineering majors are available at many schools, and industrial and mechanical engineering programs at most colleges provide much of the same training. An individual with a degree can apply for entry-level junior engineer positions. For several months, new employees receive formal on-the-job training and work under the supervision of experienced engineers. Some manufacturing engineering positions require new professionals to pass licensing exams before they can start working on their own.