While there are many types of engineers in this world that cover a large span of different realms of expertise, such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering—one of the most important roles in the industrial space belongs to the Manufacturing Engineer.
Manufacturing Engineers jobs are quite complex. Due to this, the position requires an extremely knowledgeable and well skilled engineer to maintain the position.
Manufacturing Engineering begins with the designing process and moves the project along from that concept to the development of a working product. In reality their work scopes are much more complex, of course, and much more interesting.
Design Product(s)
Select the best technologies and processes for manufacturing it
Plan, design, and engineer facilities that will produce the product(s)
Oversee the running, management, maintenance and improvement of the factory
A Manufacturing Engineer's scope of work focuses primarily on the design and operation of integrated systems.
These systems (such as computer networks, robots, EOATs, automated machines, machine tools, and materials-handling equipment) are responsible for the production of high-quality, economically competitive products (anything from machines, tools, parts to jigs, conservation technology and CNC fixtures).
As part of their role, Manufacturing Engineers must also always keep up to date with new technologies and improvements in the field to ensure they are providing their clients with the most innovative advances available.
While the scope of their work can vary greatly, Manufacturing Engineers are mainly hired to:
Utilize integrated data systems in order to fully automate a chemical manufacturing facility.
Reduce costs or enhance manufactured product quality by designing circuit board manufacturing processes.
Evaluate current manufacturing processes and identify a more efficient and cost-effective facility layout.
One important thing to keep in mind is that Manufacturing Engineers must accomplish their improved overall efficiencies and outcomes while maintaining employee safety and upholding product quality standards.
Manufacturing Engineers will typically need to meet several requirements in order to be successful in their field.
Having a Bachelors degree in manufacturing engineering is usually a requisite.
Many manufacturing engineers start out as mechanical engineers, but this is not a requirement.
Some Manufacturing Engineers have stated that starting out in other specialized areas such as Production Engineering can be useful in providing additional educational experience for future manufacturing engineers.
There a handful of skills, if acquired, can be a great asset for Manufacturing Engineers:
Being trained or versed in Quality Control or Quality Assurance (such as Six Sigma).
Honed communication skills: Being able to speak the "Manufacturing Engineering Lexicon" is critical.
A diverse knowledge in several industry technologies (including the engineering industry)
Critical thinking and problem solving skills: Sometimes this is easier learned than taught.
Masterful organization skills: If you cannot keep and maintain organization of yourself, your calendar, and your own information, as a Manufacturing Engineer you may struggle with managing foreign processes for your customers and facilities (check out HubSpot's CRM to help better manage your customer relationships).
Experienced in Process Engineering
According to the BLS, the 2018 median annual income for an Industrial/Manufacturing Engineer was $87,040—with the total number of jobs exceeding 280,000.
For some people, these are broad synonyms with far more similarities than differences. But, for what it’s worth for the sake of this blog, here is a very high-level take on the differences.
Manufacturing Engineers focus more on the initial research design, layout, and build of the manufacturing process or system, like for water conservation technology. They also design and develop machine parts and tools.
Production Engineers are more focused on running these systems and would place more emphasis on:
Meeting production targets, inventory control, operations management, and continuous improvement.
The elimination of waste and wastewater.
Quality control and quality assurance
Industrial Engineers are very similar to production engineers, but they place much more emphasis on working with people.
They look for ways to make the workers’ routines more efficient to improve production while maintaining a safety-focused culture.
Engineers who design buildings or other structures and landscapes use the science of structural engineering to create a safe and secure environment for people.
Structural engineers are needed in any field that relies on building, such as architecture, construction management, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, and more!
The skillset of a structural engineer is very particular and often required for large projects. While it might seem like an unglamorous position, these engineers are essential to the safety of our communities with their ability to design buildings that can withstand different natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, or earthquakes.
In addition, they make sure structures need not be torn down because certain materials aren't allowed in areas due to environmental hazards. Structural engineers also work along with structural welders when working on specialty welding projects.
With the use of today's latest technology, (3D printing, drones, IoT, Building Information Modeling (BMI), and others) structural engineers are able to conduct their everyday tasks in a more efficient manner.
Engineers are tasked with designing products to be used for a specific task and meeting the needs of their clients.
Process Engineers design processes that allow factories or businesses to manufacture goods more efficiently, which is key in today's competitive market environment where customers demand better quality at cheaper prices than ever before.
A process engineer may have graduated from an engineering college and then worked his way up through various roles related to manufacturing until he found himself in charge of managing production lines on behalf of clients who want him/her solely focused on them--which means they're really good!
Manufacturing Engineers are closely connected with engineering and industrial design efforts.
Some of today's revolutionizing industries where manufacturing engineers are generally employed include:
A decanter centrifuges separate solids and liquids, and have become essential components of water waste facilities and the chemical, oil and gas drilling, food processing industries, as well as the hemp manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing Engineers are typically involved in the design, development, installation and maintenance of the assembly's equipment and machinery.
Their primary focus is on safety, reliability, quality and sustainability.
Drill pipe elevators are used for lifting and handling drill pipe, tubing, casing, and drill collars in the offshore drilling industry. Due to the rigorous nature of their use, drill pipe elevators need to be designed within strict safety guidelines - while focusing on quality, durability and endurance.
Manufacturing Engineers create the processes and infrastructure to produce drill pipe elevators and other tools. These tools are precision-machined to exact tolerances to meet API Standards.
Manufacturing Engineers must master the critical requirements of the oil and gas industry and the need for high-quality tools and parts.
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