Manufacturing engineer
Also known as: MfgE, manufacturing engineering specialist, manufacturing technology engineering expert, manufacturing technology engineering specialist, manufacturing technology engineer, manufacturing engineering adviser
About this occupation
Manufacturing engineers design manufacturing processes for different kinds of production processes. They integrate those specificities and constraints posed by the industry or the product being produced with general and wide-spread manufacturing engineering principles into the design and planification of manufacturing processes.
A specialisation of industrial engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- production processes
- perform scientific research
- ensure health and safety in manufacturing
- assess financial viability
- use technical drawing software
- ensure material compliance
- technical drawings
- approve engineering design
- manufacturing processes
- engineering processes
- advise on manufacturing problems
- industrial engineering
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Manufacturing Engineers (O*NET 17-2112.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Troubleshoot new or existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes.
- Investigate or resolve operational problems, such as material use variances or bottlenecks.
- Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve manufacturing processes or products or to reduce costs, using knowledge of fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, or product design, materials and parts.
- Apply continuous improvement methods, such as lean manufacturing, to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, or cost-effectiveness.
- Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing.
- Incorporate new manufacturing methods or processes to improve existing operations.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring
US median pay: US$102,440 a year (2025), 365,740 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.2)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.1)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.0)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.4)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Industrial Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Industrial Production Managers
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Automotive Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Validation Engineers
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.