What is the role of a manufacturing engineer?

A manufacturing engineer is responsible for ensuring that manufacturing is carried out in the most time-efficient and cost-effective way while still maintaining overall product quality.

To do this, they choose the best technologies and processes to manufacture products, plan and design the factory that will produce the product, and manage the running, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the manufacturing process.

For a new factory or product, they would figure out the optimal manufacturing process, break out the individual process steps, design and layout the production line, choose the machinery, design and layout the individual workstations and develop an operational plan to ramp up production.

Within existing manufacturing set-ups, they are more likely to monitor equipment and identify opportunities for improvements to increase productivity while maintaining product quality.

Common job duties and responsibilities that manufacturing engineers complete within their role include the following:

• Evaluating existing manufacturing processes and identifying areas for improvement.

• Determining problem resolutions and implementing improvements.

• Developing detailed layouts for equipment, processes, and workflow.

• Researching and developing new processes, equipment, and products.

• Developing and implementing cost-saving measures and quality control systems.

• Ensuring manufacturing processes, equipment, and products comply with safety standards and legal regulations.

• Maintaining research and activity documentation and preparing reports.