Occupation · SOC 17-2112.03
Manufacturing Engineers
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.
Median wage
$101,140
$70,000–$157,140
Projected growth
+11.0%
Faster than average
Annual openings
3,850
per year
Employed (US)
350,230
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
375 mapped
Core skills
Complex Problem SolvingMathematicsReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingOperations MonitoringSpeakingMonitoringActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingMechanicalDesignMathematics
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareDevelopment environment softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareIndustrial control softwareDesktop communications software
Representative tasks
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 red
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Product design documentation — review for basic manufacturability gaps under direct supervision on a production floor assignment.CAD and CAM software tools — navigate and apply to retrieve or modify existing part files within a structured engineering environment.Manufacturing process steps — identify and sequence correctly by following established standard operating procedures on a production line.Material use variances — recognize and flag discrepancies by comparing actual consumption data against planned quantities in an ERP system.Root cause analysis templates — apply structured problem-solving frameworks under engineer guidance to document initial findings on a known process failure.Lean manufacturing terminology and basic principles — demonstrate understanding by participating in guided continuous improvement workshops on the shop floor.Technical reports and engineering specifications — read and interpret to extract relevant process parameters under the direction of a senior manufacturing engineer.Quality control standards — apply inspection criteria to routine in-process checks in a supervised manufacturing environment.Cross-functional team meetings — contribute observations and prepared data clearly and accurately when presenting findings to engineering colleagues.Statistical data from production runs — collect and organize using spreadsheet software to support senior engineers performing process evaluations.
developing
Existing product problems involving design or materials — troubleshoot by applying engineering judgment and historical process data with limited oversight on an active production line.Operational bottlenecks — investigate and propose corrective actions by analyzing workflow data and consulting with production supervisors in a mid-sized manufacturing facility.Process improvement opportunities — identify and implement incremental changes using lean manufacturing methods to reduce cycle time or scrap in a familiar production context.New manufacturing methods — evaluate and incorporate into existing operations by benchmarking against current process metrics and documenting outcomes.Manufacturability reviews — conduct independently on moderately complex product designs by applying design-for-manufacture principles and tolerance analysis.Statistical procedures such as control charts and capability studies — apply to determine process stability and recommend tolerance adjustments on recurring quality issues.Technical expertise — provide to production technicians and operators by translating engineering specifications into clear, actionable guidance on the shop floor.ERP and industrial control software — use routinely to monitor production scheduling, material flows, and equipment status across assigned manufacturing cells.Failure mode documentation — develop and maintain using root cause analysis tools such as fishbone diagrams and 5-Why analysis within a quality management system.Continuous improvement projects — manage from initiation to closure by coordinating task assignments, tracking milestones, and reporting progress to project stakeholders.
proficient
Complex product or process failures — diagnose and resolve autonomously by applying deductive and inductive reasoning across design, materials, and fabrication variables in a full-scope manufacturing environment.Root causes of production failures — determine systematically using statistical procedures such as DOE or regression analysis and deliver evidence-based design or process change recommendations.Manufacturing cost reduction initiatives — lead by identifying and implementing changes across tooling, assembly methods, and material selection while balancing quality and reliability requirements.Product designs — review comprehensively for manufacturability and completeness, challenging engineering assumptions and negotiating design modifications directly with product development teams.Non-routine operational problems including material variances and yield losses — resolve by integrating cross-functional data from quality, supply chain, and production systems into a coherent corrective action plan.Advanced lean and continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma or kaizen events — facilitate across multiple production lines to drive measurable improvements in throughput and defect rates.Technology selection for new manufacturing processes — evaluate and recommend by assessing technical feasibility, capital requirements, and integration complexity within an existing facility infrastructure.CAD, CAM, and simulation tools — apply proficiently to model proposed process changes, validate toolpath strategies, and assess the manufacturability impact of design iterations.Technical presentations and engineering change proposals — author and deliver to senior leadership and customers, synthesizing complex analyses into clear recommendations.Systems-level analysis of manufacturing operations — perform by mapping interdependencies among equipment, processes, materials, and workforce to anticipate failure modes and optimize overall system performance.
advanced
Manufacturing engineering strategy — define and champion at the organizational level by aligning process technology investments with long-term product roadmaps and business objectives.Engineering talent pipeline — develop by mentoring junior and mid-level engineers, establishing competency frameworks, and creating structured on-the-job learning programs across the department.Enterprise-wide continuous improvement culture — cultivate by sponsoring lean and Six Sigma programs, setting measurable targets, and holding business units accountable for sustained results.Cross-functional product development teams — lead by integrating manufacturing engineering expertise into early design phases to maximize producibility, reduce time-to-market, and control lifecycle costs.Capital investment decisions for new manufacturing technologies and facilities — evaluate and authorize by synthesizing technical feasibility analyses, financial modeling, and risk assessments.Organizational response to systemic production failures or quality escapes — direct by mobilizing cross-disciplinary resources, establishing corrective action governance, and communicating resolution plans to executive stakeholders.Manufacturing engineering standards and best practices — establish and institutionalize by authoring policies, process playbooks, and design guidelines adopted across multiple plants or business units.Strategic partnerships with equipment suppliers, research institutions, and customers — build and manage to accelerate adoption of advanced manufacturing methods and sustain competitive differentiation.Workforce capability gaps in engineering and technology competencies — identify at the organizational level and address through targeted hiring, training programs, and succession planning.Industry trends in manufacturing technology, materials science, and digital manufacturing — monitor and translate into actionable innovation roadmaps that position the organization for future operational excellence.
Also known as
24 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Lean Manufacturing EngineerAdvance Manufacturing EngineerProject EngineerManufacturing EngineerPlant EngineerManufacturing Systems EngineerManufacturing Automation EngineerProcess Manufacturing EngineerProcess EngineerManufacturing Controls EngineerDesign EngineerProduct Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing Project EngineerManufacturing Process EngineerFoundry Process EngineerProcess Improvement EngineerFacility EngineerAutomation EngineerManufacturing SpecialistManufacturing Electrical EngineerEngineerManufacturing Applications EngineerManufacturing Quality EngineerMethods Engineer