Manufacturing Engineer

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Using e-mail.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Working with a group or team.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Responsibility for others’ health and safety.
• Meeting strict deadlines.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having face-to-face discussions.
• The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, or hard hats.
• Working with a group or team.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• High levels of competition.

Tools & Technology used by Manufacturing Engineers

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Manufacturing Engineers

• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Understanding a System or Organization—Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Evaluating a System or Organization—Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Manufacturing Engineers

• Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Production and Processing—Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Physics—Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative—Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 19.3% growth for Mechanical Engineers to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least a Bachelors degree, and many professionals earn a Masters degree. This career may require a license, depending on the industry and there are certifications are helpful for growth.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Biology
• Blueprint Reading
• Business Computer Applications
• Calculus
• Chemistry
• Computer-Assisted Art
• Economics
• Physics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Technical Writing
• Trigonometry

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise