What does a machine design engineer do?
A machine design engineer specializes in designing and developing machines, tools, and engines for different industries. Their duties include identifying and understanding project requirements, creating blueprints and prototypes, selecting ideal resources, establishing and implementing test plans, facilitating upgrades, and setting protocols and standards. They also enhance existing machines by identifying their strengths and weaknesses and providing solutions against potential issues. Additionally, a machine design engineer usually works in a team environment, which requires an open communication line for efficient workflow.
Machine design engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real machine design engineer resumes:
- Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
- Utilize SolidWorks to prototype assembly machines prior to building.
- Learned to program and operate both CNC and manual machine tools.
- Design of fixtures and automate machines in AutoCAD ($ 250K programs).
- Modele conceptual layout in SolidWorks for a new design radial truck tire building machine.
- Source PLC programmers, electrical engineers, hydraulic hose source and painters as required.
- Produce design prints utilizing AutoCAD.
- Develop new products, produce prototypes and ultimately submit viable product samples to UL for verification working in conjunction with sales/marketing.
- Create prototypes of new control panels to present to clients and have in house for troubleshooting.
- Implement GUIs using html and Perl that runs password generation applications in Linux from any PC.
- Design and detail various assembly jigs, including robot assembly jigs.
- Work with Unigraphics (UGII) designing and detailing fixtures for devices on lamp making machines.
- Produce rapid prototypes for seating and window regulator mechanisms.
- Provide documentation control and system administration using current ASME and ISO engineering standards.
Machine design engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Machine Design Engineers are proficient in Solidworks, Project Management, and FEA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Machine Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Solidworks, 21%
Machine design in SolidWorks 2017, design of parts, assembly's, drawings and assembly drawings.
- Project Management, 8%
Design project management responsibilities included designing, checking, directing and coordinating manufacturing and assembly of custom and standard machine systems.
- FEA, 7%
Performed duties, including CAD modeling, FEA, manufacturing quality control inspections, and product training.
- Autocad, 7%
Designed parts and assemblies using drafting tools such as Solid Works and AutoCAD.
- GD, 7%
Created drawings using computer aided design techniques and ASME Y14.5M GD & T drafting standards and generated materials lists.
- PLC, 4%
Sourced PLC programmers, electrical engineers, hydraulic hose source and painters as required.
"solidworks," "project management," and "fea" are among the most common skills that machine design engineers use at work. You can find even more machine design engineer responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a machine design engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what machine design engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a machine design engineer resume shows how machine design engineers use creativity: "created 3-d assembly drawings and parts (gd&t;) using inventor r6 through r9. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling machine design engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." According to a machine design engineer resume, here's how machine design engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated to cross functional teams for design reviews. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of machine design engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday machine design engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "researched and specified bearings and timing belts, and all robotic geometry. "
Mechanical skills. machine design engineer responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." This resume example shows what machine design engineers do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "designed and detailed mechanical parts and assemblies for industrial equipment using autocad and inventor. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a machine design engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what machine design engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to machine design engineer duties can be seen in an example from a machine design engineer resume snippet: "designed large automation turnkey solutions and robotic cells with supporting equipment such as mezzanines. "
The three companies that hire the most machine design engineers are:
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Compare different machine design engineers
Machine design engineer vs. Tool engineer
A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a machine design engineer are more likely to require skills like "autocad," "robotic," "assembly line," and "design concepts." On the other hand, a job as a tool engineer requires skills like "python," "java," "cad," and "linux." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Tool engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $94,406. On the other hand, machine design engineers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $78,083.On average, tool engineers reach similar levels of education than machine design engineers. Tool engineers are 4.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Machine design engineer vs. Product engineer
A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real machine design engineer resumes. While machine design engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "autocad," "plc," "robotic," and "assembly line," product engineers use skills like "cad," "product design," "c++," and "product development."
Product engineers earn a higher average salary than machine design engineers. But product engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $90,301. Additionally, machine design engineers earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $78,083 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Product engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than machine design engineers. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for machine design engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Richard Onyancha
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Department Head, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Machine design engineer vs. Project engineer
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, machine design engineers are more likely to have skills like "gd," "robotic," "assembly line," and "design concepts." But a project engineer is more likely to have skills like "construction management," "cad," "ul," and "cost estimates."
Project engineers earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $85,761. Comparatively, machine design engineers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $78,083.project engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to machine design engineers. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Machine design engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Types of machine design engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
