What does a machine designer do?
A mechanical designer creates and draws different designs for pieces of machinery and other equipment. They are often patterned with engineers and other related professionals to create a variety of types of machinery. Typically they work in an office setting, with the majority at architecture, manufacturing, and engineering firms. They may also be the person who develops and provides layout designs for customers and clients. A person who is creative, has a background in product development, and possesses analytic skills may be a great fit for the job.
Machine designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real machine designer resumes:
- Manage documentation of existing projects, perform ECN resolutions.
- Create assembly and layout drawings using AutoCAD and SolidWorks modeling software.
- Programme CNC turret punch/plasma punching machine.
- Perform various reverse engineering jobs using CMM machines.
- Supervise CNC programmer/operator and machinists to make parts, assemble and test machine.
- Complete first successful solid model of a cylinder head design for importation to FEA software.
- Install and debug a new wires drawing line with all Siemens controls and PLC programming.
- Design moulds, tools, dies, jigs and fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
- Resource components, update AutoCAD libraries, and communicate with customers
- Design and make presentations of systems and do mechanical drawings of propose robotic/automation solutions using AutoCAD.
- Conceptualize, design, and develop machines and robotic systems to reduce operating cost, and improve production in manufacturing environments.
- Prepare and check detail drawings and BOMs for assemblies, subassemblies and parts.
- Create timing diagrams, sequences of operations, create I/O requirements, create BOMs, and create drawings.
- Design automate PCB vertical load/unload system for conveyorize etcher.
Machine designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Machine Designers are proficient in Solidworks, Machine Design, and Autocad. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Machine Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Solidworks, 16%
Used SolidWorks 2005 to concept, design, detail stations, assembly systems, tooling and fixtures.
- Machine Design, 10%
Develop and simulated machine design loads and motions while optimizing geometric and material properties to achieve desired machine function.
- Autocad, 9%
Managed the implementation of Document Management software for AutoCAD.
- Assembly Drawings, 8%
Produced detailed drawings, sub-assembly drawings and assembly drawings.
- Provide Engineering Support, 6%
Provide engineering support for all corporate facilities.
- R, 5%
Designed and customized pollution control equipment components with AutoCad R 12 on UNIX platform on both DEC and SUN workstations.
Common skills that a machine designer uses to do their job include "solidworks," "machine design," and "autocad." You can find details on the most important machine designer responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a machine designer to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Machine designers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assisted in the design and detailing of meat processing equipment using autocad inventor, solid modeling program. "
Listening skills. Many machine designer duties rely on listening skills. "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists," so a machine designer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways machine designer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated with shop floor, suppliers and vendors, expediting issues resolution and ensuring cost effective operation. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of machine designers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday machine designer 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: "produce external and internal geometry for custom machine parts in autocad and program the tool path for the plasma tip. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain machine designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a machine designer rely on this skill, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what machine designers do: "designed and made presentations of systems and did mechanical drawings of proposed robotic/automation solutions using autocad. "
Mechanical skills. Another common skill required for machine designer responsibilities is "mechanical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of machine designers all the time, as "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." An excerpt from a real machine designer resume shows how this skill is central to what a machine designer does: "produced mechanical layout, detail and assembly drawings including bills of material specifying machined components, purchased items and raw materials. "
The three companies that hire the most machine designers are:
- BD4 machine designers jobs
- Cummins2 machine designers jobs
- Dyno Nobel2 machine designers jobs
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Compare different machine designers
Machine designer vs. Senior project engineer
A senior project engineer is responsible for monitoring the project team's overall process and operations from conceptualization until completion, ensuring the adherence to the clients' specifications, within the budget's goals, and the required deadline. Senior project engineers regularly communicate with the client regarding updates or necessary adjustments. They develop strategic procedures to finish the project efficiently by running diagnostic tests and troubleshooting discrepancies. A senior project engineer must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the team's performance and provide assistance when necessary.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between machine designers and senior project engineer. For instance, machine designer responsibilities require skills such as "machine design," "autocad," "assembly drawings," and "plant layout." Whereas a senior project engineer is skilled in "project management," "construction management," "cad," and "ul." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Senior project engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $104,214. On the other hand, machine designers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $76,419.On average, senior project engineers reach higher levels of education than machine designers. Senior project engineers are 9.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Machine designer vs. Senior engineer
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real machine designer resumes. While machine designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "solidworks," "machine design," "autocad," and "assembly drawings," senior engineers use skills like "java," "python," "architecture," and "c #."
Senior engineers may earn a higher salary than machine designers, but senior engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $125,167. On the other hand, machine designers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $76,419.senior engineers earn higher levels of education than machine designers in general. They're 15.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Machine designer vs. Mechanical engineering internship
One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from machine designer resumes include skills like "machine design," "autocad," "fea," and "plant layout," whereas a mechanical engineering internship is more likely to list skills in "powerpoint," "mechanical systems," "revit," and "matlab. "
Mechanical engineering interns earn the highest salary when working in the hospitality industry, where they receive an average salary of $44,983. Comparatively, machine designers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $76,419.Most mechanical engineering interns achieve a higher degree level compared to machine designers. For example, they're 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Machine designer 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.
Types of machine designer
Updated January 8, 2025
