Manufacturing Engineers plan, direct, and coordinate elements of design, materials, and manufacturing processes in industrial plants. They work from the design for a product and develop processes for production, standards, and quality control.
NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Manufacturing Engineers may:
Analyze and plan work force utilization, space requirements, and workflow
Develop step-by-step methods for making the products
Design the layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency
Decide when and where to use robots, computer-aided design (CAD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Recommend changes in the design of a product to make it easier or less costly to produce
Confer with management on production capabilities, schedules, and problems
Determine product specifications
Arrange for purchase of equipment, materials, or parts and evaluate them according to specifications and quality standards.
Estimate production times and determine how many workers are required to meet production schedules
Devise racks, bins, or other containers that protect parts and insure quality
The tools and equipment used may include:
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Calculators
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Plans and drawings
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Stopwatches
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Models and charts
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Drafting Equipment
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Reference handbooks
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Production schedules
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Specifications
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Scientific Journals
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Measuring Device
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Suppliers' catalogs
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Computers (with Internet Access)
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Government standards documents
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Computer-aided Drafting System (CAD)
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Computer-aided Manufacturing Systems (CAM)
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Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's)
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OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES
Few Manufacturing Engineers are experts in all manufacturing systems. Most specialize in one or more areas. Occupational Specialties included within this CEscript:
012.061-018 STANDARDS ENGINEERS establish engineering and technical limitations and applications for materials, designs, methods, processes, and products for designers of machines and equipment. Configuration management analysts study proposed changes of product design to determine the effect on overall systems, and coordinate the recording of modifications for management control.
012.167-018 FACTORY LAY-OUT ENGINEERS plan layouts of complete departments of industrial plants or commercial establishments to provide maximum possible operating efficiency.
012.167-050 PRODUCTION PLANNERS plan and prepare production schedules for the manufacture of industrial or commercial products.
012.167-074 TOOL PLANNERS analyze blueprints or prototype parts to determine the tools, fixtures, and equipment needed for manufacture. They also plan the sequence of operations for fabrication and assembly of products.
012.167-042 MANUFACTURING ENGINEER
012.167-010 CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT ANALYST
In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following CEscripts:
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Manufacturing Engineers usually work with others and may work as part of a team. Depending on their positions, they may supervise other engineers or technicians.
Working conditions vary with the job. Manufacturing Engineers spend much of their time in manufacturing departments. They may wear safety glasses, ear protectors, and hard hats. When in production areas, they may be exposed to fumes, noise, extreme temperatures, dust, and other plant conditions.
Manufacturing Engineers usually work eight to ten hours a day, five or six days a week. They may work longer when a particular job must be completed. Manufacturing Engineers employed by consulting firms may travel extensively.
Manufacturing Engineers may join professional organizations such as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the Association for Facilities Engineering, or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Members must pay periodic dues.
You Should Prefer:
You Should Be Able To:
Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:
A crane lifts a 500 kilogram load a vertical distance of 20 meters. If the speed of the load is constant, how much work is done in lifting it?
Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:
In other instances, the applied impulse force may be relatively constant, and the contact time may be deliberately increased to produce a greater impulse, and thus a greater change in momentum.
Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:
You should be able to construct a written report for management which will explain a problem you are experiencing with production.
Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Produce:
You should be able to look at a design and brainstorm ways to lessen the costs of production.
Engineers performing work that affects public health, life, or property must be licensed by the Board of Professional Engineers of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation. Click here for “Michigan Licensed Occupations,” see Engineer, Licensed Professional for specific licensing information.
EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES
NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.
The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the CEscript:
***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***
0300AUTOMOTIVE , 0500BUILDING TRADES , 0600BUSINESS , 0700CAREERS , 0900COMMUNICATIONS , 1000COMPUTERS , 1100ECONOMICS , 1200ELECTRONICS , 1300ENGLISH , 1600FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 2200MATH , 2300METALS , 2900SCIENCE , 3000SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100STUDY & WORK OPTIONS , 3200TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300TECHNOLOGY , 3400WOODS
***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***
There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this CEscript.
***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***
058 ENGINEERING (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)
Pre-Engineering Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to professional engineering colleges.
Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to engineering schools. Students should contact the engineering schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.
Courses vary from school to school but may include:
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Chemistry & Physics
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Differential Equations
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Analytical Geometry
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Statics & Dynamics
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Calculus & Linear Algebra
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Digital Computer Techniques
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Engineering Graphics
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Trigonometry
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The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.
081 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
Programs in Industrial Engineering provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary in applying engineering principles to a variety of systems in organizations which produce products or supply services. Industrial Engineers may be employed by manufacturing industries, agriculture, hospitals, government agencies, and commercial and financial institutions.
Courses will vary from school to school but may include:
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Cost Estimating
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Human Factors Engineering
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Simulation Methods
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Engineering Data Analysis
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Time & Motion Study
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Statistical Quality Control
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Experimental Design
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Automation & System Design
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Operations Research
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Stochastic Industrial Processes
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Optimization Methods
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Management of Technological Change
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Industrial Organization
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Electrical & Electronics Engineering
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Search for a College and/or Instructional Program
***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***
There are no Apprenticeships related to this CEscript
***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***
Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS
Because the military is so large, small savings in personnel or equipment costs can result in savings of millions of dollars. Industrial engineers design ways to improve how the military uses its people and equipment.
What They Do
Industrial engineers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
Special Requirements
A 4-year college degree in industrial engineering, industrial management, or a related field is required to enter this occupation.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
Work Environment
Industrial engineers usually work in offices. They may work outdoors while performing field studies or overseeing the installation of equipment and systems.
Training Provided
Job training is offered for some specialties. Training length varies from 8 to 16 weeks of classroom instruction, depending on the specialty. Course content typically includes:
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian industrial engineers work primarily in manufacturing and consulting firms. They also work in other industries and businesses, including insurance companies, retail stores, banks, and public utilities, and hospitals. Civilian industrial engineers perform duties similar to those performed in the military. Depending on the specialty, they may also be called production engineers, safety engineers, production planners, or quality control engineers.
Opportunities
The services have about 200 industrial engineers. On average, they need 10 new industrial engineers each year. After job training, industrial engineers are usually assigned to an engineering, management evaluation, or procurement unit. With experience, they may advance to command or policy-making positions in engineering, administration, or other fields.
E-Learning Courses and Programs
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY
Opportunities for experience and exploration may be available through summer or part-time work in manufacturing or industrial settings. Traditionally, many workers entered manufacturing engineering from other fields of engineering.
School-to-Work opportunities include:
informal apprenticeships
mentorships
job shadowing experiences
touring a local Manufacturing Engineer employer
internships
volunteer work with a Manufacturing Engineer employer
community service work with an agency
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) sponsors an adopt-a-school program where local chapters form partnerships with community colleges or high schools to introduce students to the manufacturing field.
Postsecondary education programs and related military service may offer opportunities. Departments and agencies in the federal government also offer cooperative education programs for engineering occupations.
Many companies recruit on college campuses to find candidates for Manufacturing Engineering positions since most employers require at least a bachelor's degree. Qualified applicants may apply directly to employers. Graduates may learn of job openings from want ads in newspapers from large cities or from ads in professional journals, such as the SME's monthly "Manufacturing Engineering". In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:
Society of Manufacturing Engineer's Jobs Database
EngineerJobs
Michigan Carees, Colleges & Training
Michigan Works!
Classifieds Employment
MONSTER.COM
FlipDog.com
Yahoo!hotjobs
Career Builder
HotJobs.com
MONSTERTRAK
CareerWEB
You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.
EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT
Earnings of Manufacturing Engineers depends on their educational level, work experience, area of specialization, and level of responsibility, as well as the type, size, and location of the employer. Companies in the Middle Atlantic states around Washington, DC, pay the highest salaries to Manufacturing Engineers. Those in the Mountain states pay the lowest.
Nationally, the median annual earnings of Industrial Engineers, which include Manufacturing Engineers, were $59,488 in 2003. Most licensed Professional Manufacturing Engineers earned between $52,533 and $162,176 yearly (early 2004). The median yearly earnings of “all” workers in the U.S. were $32,240 in 2003.
In the federal government, annual starting salaries (2004) for Manufacturing Engineers, depending on college records, were $30,931 or $38,311 with a bachelor's degree. Those with a master's degree started at $38,311 or $46,870, and a minimum salary of $49,437 for a doctorate. The salaries of these Federal Government workers may be higher in some urban areas.
Annual starting salaries offered to most graduates of manufacturing engineering programs nationwide ranged (late 2003) from $45,000 to $50,000 with a bachelor's degree. Offers for graduates of master's degree programs ranged from $50,000 to $60,000.
Manufacturing Engineers may earn additional income by working as consultants.
Depending on the employer, fringe benefits may include paid vacations, holidays, and sick leave; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; retirement and educational reimbursement plans; and stock purchase or savings plans. Benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.
Most Manufacturing Engineers begin their careers as trainees. Manufacturing Engineers with a broad range of experience in manufacturing operations in combination with writing and oral presentation skills, are candidates for management positions. College courses in business management, personnel management, and accounting can increase the potential for advancement. Advancement depends primarily upon personal qualifications, experience, and education. A career ladder for a Manufacturing Engineer may be: Manufacturing Engineering Trainee, Manufacturing Engineer, Chief Engineer, Manager or Administrator. Graduate study is becoming increasingly important for advancement.
EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK
Nationally, there were about 110,500 Manufacturing Engineers in early 2002. Employment is expected to increase as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012.
Manufacturing Engineers must be willing to go where the jobs are. Many kinds of companies hire industrial and manufacturing engineers. Applicants with advanced degrees and some experience have the best job prospects. Many manufacturing jobs have moved out of the United States to other countries where laborers are paid lower wages. American companies with production facilities in other countries need Engineers willing to move where the plants are.
There were about 550 SME Certified Manufacturing Engineers in Michigan in early 2004. Most worked in urban areas for manufacturing companies. Many of these Engineers were employed by companies making cars, trucks, and related equipment. Others worked for a variety of non-manufacturing employers, including consulting organizations, communications organizations; and federal, state, and local government agencies.
To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.
The role of Manufacturing Engineers is central to more efficient, higher quality production. College courses in manufacturing processes, technical writing, advanced mathematics, quality certification processes and standards, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and physics allow the Manufacturing Engineer to fill many roles.
The demand for Manufacturing Engineers in Michigan is dependent on the economy, particularly the automotive industry. However, the continued expansion of automated manufacturing processes, the increased recognition of the importance of scientific management in reducing costs and increasing productivity in both industrial and non-industrial settings, and the need to conserve energy and solve other environmental problems will create employment opportunities for Manufacturing Engineers.
SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.
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American Association of Engineering Societies
1828 L Street, N.W., Ste. 906
Washington, DC 20036
1-202-296-2237
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Society of Manufacturing Engineers
One SME Drive
P.O. Box 930
Dearborn, MI 48121
1-313-271-1500
1-800-733-4763
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Michigan Society of Professional Engineers
P.O. Box 15276
Lansing, MI 48901
1-517-487-9388,
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Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Board of Professional Engineers
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
1-517-241-9253
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Association for Facilities Engineering
8160 Corporate Park Dr
Suite 125
Cincinnati, OH 45242
1-513-489-2473
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Institute of Industrial Engineers
3577 Parkway Lane, Suite 200
Norcross, GA 30092
1-770-449-0460
1-800-494-0460
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American Society of Mechanical Engineers
3 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
1-212-705-7722
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Michigan Works!
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Michigan Career, Colleges & Training
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National Society of Professional Engineers
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-703-684-2800
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Copyright © 2004 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth
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