What Do Manufacturing Engineer Do?
Occupation Description Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
Life As a Manufacturing Engineer: What Do They Do?
- Design, install, or troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.
- Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff, or other engineers.
- Redesign packaging for manufactured products to minimize raw material use or waste.
- Estimate costs, production times, or staffing requirements for new designs.
- Evaluate current or proposed manufacturing processes or practices for environmental sustainability, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water pollution, energy use, or waste creation.
- Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Manufacturing Engineer?
Below is a list of the skills most Manufacturing Engineers say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active 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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Manufacturing Engineering Manager
- Process Manufacturing Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Manufacturing Process Engineer
- Process Engineer
Job Outlook for Manufacturing Engineers
In the United States, there were 132,500 jobs for Manufacturing Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,500 new jobs for Manufacturing Engineer by 2026. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Manufacturing Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Manufacturing Engineers Salary
The salary for Manufacturing Engineers ranges between about $50,750 and $155,650 a year.

Manufacturing Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Manufacturing Engineers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $115,710 |
Alaska | $114,040 |
Arizona | $94,450 |
Arkansas | $71,510 |
California | $107,700 |
Colorado | $111,610 |
Connecticut | $100,230 |
District of Columbia | $132,530 |
Florida | $82,970 |
Georgia | $93,580 |
Hawaii | $96,940 |
Idaho | $110,270 |
Illinois | $87,220 |
Indiana | $73,340 |
Iowa | $78,230 |
Kansas | $82,060 |
Kentucky | $79,690 |
Louisiana | $90,580 |
Maine | $85,800 |
Maryland | $118,420 |
Massachusetts | $109,220 |
Michigan | $90,420 |
Minnesota | $101,620 |
Mississippi | $79,630 |
Missouri | $86,850 |
Montana | $79,590 |
Nebraska | $82,760 |
Nevada | $94,950 |
New Hampshire | $99,070 |
New Jersey | $114,990 |
New Mexico | $114,790 |
New York | $95,270 |
North Carolina | $83,900 |
North Dakota | $83,270 |
Ohio | $93,370 |
Oklahoma | $83,080 |
Oregon | $90,720 |
Pennsylvania | $96,550 |
Rhode Island | $95,790 |
South Carolina | $100,750 |
South Dakota | $84,320 |
Tennessee | $82,030 |
Texas | $113,370 |
Utah | $89,810 |
Vermont | $81,960 |
Virginia | $118,390 |
Washington | $104,890 |
West Virginia | $91,420 |
Wisconsin | $86,600 |
Wyoming | $97,040 |
What Tools do Manufacturing Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Manufacturing Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- FileMaker Pro
- R
- Minitab
- National Instruments LabVIEW
Becoming a Manufacturing Engineer
Learn what Manufacturing Engineer education requirements there are.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Manufacturing Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: luis gomes via CC0 License
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