A manufacturing engineer helps companies design materials and parts and improve manufacturing systems. Because of the advanced skills needed for this job, a college degree typically is required. Due to the high demand for engineers, this is an attractive option for a career path. You should be able to work in a variety of roles and move up within organizations.
Find out what it takes to become a manufacturing engineer to determine whether this may be a good career path for you.
What Are Some Manufacturing Engineer Duties?
A manufacturing engineer works with industrial or commercial designers to redesign products to increase durability with reduced cost. They troubleshoot and provide continuous improvement methods to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of a product. The engineer also designs and installs equipment based on knowledge of the fabrication processes, tooling, and production equipment, assembly, and quality control. Plus, they test the methods and finished products to create standards and validate the process to improve the existing ones. The engineer then communicates the established methods through training or writing for other production personnel to implement the production process.
How Can You Become a Manufacturing Engineer?
A bachelor’s degree in engineering usually is required to work in the industry. You may want to earn a degree with a focus on the manufacturing industry. Some of the required skills include problem-solving, project management, and proficiency with engineering software. You also might want to pursue a master’s degree in engineering to perform specialized work for an employer.
Does a Manufacturing Engineer Need Licensing or Certification?
Many states require a Professional Engineer license to work as a manufacturing engineer. This lets you work on public projects and manage teams of engineers. You often need three years of experience working under the supervision of a licensed engineer. You also need to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
Depending on your career goals, you may want to earn certification. For instance, a Certified Manufacturing Technologist is great for recent graduates and engineers with no other credentials. A Certified Manufacturing Engineer requires at least 8 years of manufacturing-related education and experience. Or, the Certified Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals is ideal for working in additive manufacturing roles.
Do You Want to Become a Manufacturing Engineer?
When the time comes to look for your first manufacturing engineer job, work with Connectology. Here is a link to our job board.
