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Job outlook for manufacturing engineers in the United States
Manufacturing engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected manufacturing engineer job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 30,600 new jobs for manufacturing engineers are projected over the next decade.
Manufacturing engineer salaries have increased 6% for manufacturing engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 241,977 manufacturing engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 115,384 active manufacturing engineer job openings in the US.
The average manufacturing engineer salary is $78,522.
Are manufacturing engineer jobs in demand?
Manufacturing engineer job and salary trends over time
Manufacturing engineer jobs over time
Manufacturing engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 241,977 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 241,581 | 0.07% |
| 2019 | 242,529 | 0.07% |
| 2018 | 229,863 | 0.07% |
| 2017 | 215,965 | 0.07% |
Average manufacturing engineer salary over time
Manufacturing engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $78,522 | $37.75 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $75,225 | $36.17 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $73,661 | $35.41 | --0.3% |
| 2022 | $73,866 | $35.51 | --0.1% |
| 2021 | $73,904 | $35.53 | +1.5% |
Manufacturing engineer jobs by state
Most common states for manufacturing engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 236 | 34% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,124 | 31% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 317 | 24% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,300 | 23% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 219 | 23% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 8,302 | 21% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,250 | 21% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,112 | 20% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 835 | 20% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,630 | 19% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,352 | 18% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 556 | 18% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,745 | 17% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,116 | 17% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 595 | 17% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 528 | 17% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 108 | 17% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,620 | 16% |
| 19 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,110 | 16% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 121 | 16% |
Most common cities for manufacturing engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casselberry | 11 | 41% | $68,468 |
| 2 | Clermont | 11 | 33% | $68,524 |
| 3 | Winter Park | 10 | 33% | $68,447 |
| 4 | Waterloo | 16 | 24% | $63,435 |
| 5 | Winter Garden | 10 | 24% | $68,489 |
| 6 | Altamonte Springs | 10 | 23% | $68,483 |
| 7 | Poinciana | 10 | 19% | $68,317 |
| 8 | Kissimmee | 10 | 14% | $68,352 |
| 9 | Orlando | 19 | 7% | $68,357 |
| 10 | Huntsville | 10 | 5% | $77,800 |
| 11 | San Diego | 19 | 1% | $87,593 |
| 12 | Chicago | 12 | 0% | $74,110 |
Manufacturing Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of manufacturing engineer experts
Northern Illinois University
Seattle University
University of Washington
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Manhattan College
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Bellingham Technical College
University of New Mexico
Duke University
Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: Employee must add value to the company by improving efficiency, reducing cost, and ensuring safety. Being able to bring value to the company leads to a salary raise and a promotion.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: A few tips to share with junior engineers are listed below. Be eager to learn from peers and other senior engineers, be open-minded to make friends, be adaptive to different cultures in the work environment, be professional (e.g., be punctual at deadlines, be mindful in appearance), be empathetic (focus on people, not mobile devices).
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: After you proved yourself to your peers and supervisors, you can always ask your price. Otherwise, there are a lot of other companies that will meet your ask and value your abilities.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: Hit the ground running. If you are asked to put in 40 hours work 50 hours. Prove yourself and always take on new challenges since that is how you grow.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: All engineering and technical skills will be in need. People who are capable to use technology will be in high demand. Project management skills. Ability to use various software and be able to do some coding. Understanding of AI and how it applies to the specific work that you do.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Julie Brandis: Oregon State University provides support in salary negotiation, also students can work with mentors who are familiar with company hiring practices and wage structures. If you have internship experience, that can help to boost your starting salary.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Davide Masato: As a graduate entering the field of plastics engineering, I recommend focusing on continuous learning, staying updated on industry trends, and seeking mentorship through participation in professional societies. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and don't hesitate to network within the industry. Developing strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail will set a solid foundation for your career.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Davide Masato: In the forthcoming years, key skills in plastics engineering will undoubtedly continue to revolve around material selection, leveraging digital tools like simulation for design optimization, and automation. Sustainability will be paramount and should be vertically integrated in the plastics industry. However, of utmost importance will be considering sustainability at the design phase to maximize benefits throughout the product life cycle and at its end of life.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Misorski FASM: While it is tough to predict the future with any accuracy, the best skill-set(s) for succeeding revolve around continuing education and learning what is possible with future materials or future manufacturing methods. Just remember, what you may learn at a conference or meeting may not be immediately relevant to your job, but down the road it could provide valuable solutions or insights into new problems that require “fixing”. In addition to continuing education in your field of interest, improving communication skills, both oral and written are important. Having the solution to a problem is useless unless the ideas can be communicated effectively and clearly to the audience that needs to hear the message. Remember, many in the audience are probably not materials engineers or any type of engineer potentially, so communicate at the appropriate level.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Misorski FASM: Maximizing salary potential at the start of your career is not a clear pathway generally. One way that you can be considered more valuable, and hence worth a better salary, is to have participated in a co-op or internship program with a company in your field. This experience gives employers some confidence that you were able to carry out assignments and thrive in a workplace environment. The employer that you worked for may be inclined to offer you a position upon graduation and you are now worth more because you have already proven to them your abilities. Even if they don’t offer you a job (no appropriate open position may be available) your ability to discuss your experiences with the HR recruiter or hiring manager at another company can instill confidence in your selection as a hire. Just remember, if you tell them you did a project, be prepared to explain it so it doesn’t appear you were just in the background of this project, just going along for the ride.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Ziteng Wang Ph.D.: If I could only give one piece of general advice to Industrial Engineering graduates beginning their career in the field, it would be to keep an open mind. One of the advantages for a student to have an IE degree is that they could apply their skills to almost any industry. As good as it sounds, this also means that the student must quickly learn to understand the organization they work for and the industry they choose to begin their career in. Doing this will allow the student to bridge their IE knowledge and skills with the reality and uniqueness of their job, and therefore, quickly adapt to the field and make an impact. Keeping an open mind also means to understand what they see in the field may be far different than what they learned in the classroom or from the textbooks because the real-world problems that Industrial Engineers are faced with are often complex for a variety of reasons. As someone who just begins their career, the student should anticipate adjusting the “perfect model” in their mind to a realistic version by using a combination of their IE skills.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ziteng Wang Ph.D.: Stay relevant and up to date in the field as the IE field, just like other rapidly growing fields, is evolving very fast. Stay up to date of the latest developments and technologies in the industry. Take on big challenges and make an impact. Prove yourself and show your ability, skills, and potential. Learn from the best, and give your best advice to others. Get involved in the professional community to maximize your opportunities.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Ziteng Wang Ph.D.: There are quite many, but I’d like to highlight two. The first is the data analytics skill. This argument is not new, but I think the skill becomes more and more important. Rather than a particular skill, data analytics skill is more like a toolbox because it involves a variety of abilities to use different software for data cleansing, visualization, statistical modeling, validation, and data-driven decision-making. One of the reasons why Industrial Engineering is one of the most exciting and coolest jobs is that we could deal with data of all sorts in terms of scale, industry, quality, and problems to solve. This requires IE students to prepare themselves for the challenge which only will be more prevalent as AI-enabled products and technologies rely on data and produce new data. The second is the skill to work in an interdisciplinary team and communicate to people from different backgrounds. Industrial engineering deals with processes and systems that could span widely in scale, from global supply chains to manufacturing plants. IE students must be able to understand the perspectives and “languages” of various departments and even different organizations, and make their work, results, and their IE perspective understood by the stakeholders. This might not be easy but is highly necessary and becoming more important than ever because the problems in the field are more and more complex, requiring collaborative effort and system-wide solutions.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Congedo PhD: That comes from your ability to focus on technical product of the highest quality, always seeking to truly understand the customer’s needs. For example, often a customer will phrase a problem by stating the solution he or she assumes. Taking the time to respectfully draw out the thinking further can make you the customer’s hero, and this makes you the person likely to be selected for the challenging and most rewarded assignments.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Thomas Congedo PhD: Your best friend will be a curious frame of mind, accompanied by a diligent approach to learning new scientific elements and methods, often taught to you by your senior colleagues.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Jhon Smith: Do not be afraid to ask questions to your supervisors (although do not take it to an extreme and become demanding—show initiative). You get the fundamentals of engineering at school and you are equipped to use them but it takes a few years to feel comfortable. Engineering is a profession of practice and it is only through practice that you best learn it.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jhon Smith: Expand your network, join professional organizations and committees, become valuable in whatever company you work for, never stop learning, seek for opportunities for professional work, get your PE license. After these you will become more valuable naturally and could comfortably ask for a promotion or a salary increase because you’d know you deserve it.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jhon Smith: Professional skills such as being able to communicate clearly, being flexible, open-minded, eager to take on challenges, adept and working with others and taking ownership of the projects tasks given to you. Staying grounded to the fundamental concepts you learn in school so every time you run a sophisticated piece of software to do design you must be able to use those fundamentals to check the results.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Shuai Huang: An Industrial Engineer uses data analytics, simulation, operations research, optimization methods, human factors, and scientific management tools to develop an analytic perspective of business processes and production systems for optimal performance.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shuai Huang: Industrial & Systems Engineers are in high demand across various industries such as logistics, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, robotics, and cyber-infrastructure, offering diverse roles with unique challenges and rewards.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Shuai Huang: People like the leadership and management components of Industrial Engineering, the use of data analytics, simulation and digital twin technologies, and human factors to design better systems. Dislikes include the lack of understanding about the field by others.
Jiayue Shen
Mechanical Engineering Technology Program CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Jiayue Shen: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career in Mechanical Engineering Technology, contemplate acquiring certifications like the FE or PE license, or additional training in high-demand specialized areas such as semiconductors. Moreover, gaining practical experience through academic clubs, undergraduate research, internships, or co-op programs can increase your appeal to employers, potentially resulting in higher salary offers.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jiayue Shen: It's essential to stay curious and eager to learn, as the field is continually evolving. Keeping abreast of the latest technologies and trends through seeking out learning opportunities and maintaining a curiosity about new developments is crucial. Additionally, building a robust professional network and seeking mentorship can offer valuable insights and guidance. Embracing interdisciplinary projects is also key, as the field is expanding beyond purely mechanical aspects. Being dynamic and proactive in interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds will be beneficial, as collaboration across disciplines is increasingly important in this field.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jiayue Shen: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as electronic control, basic programming, and critical thinking will become increasingly important in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. As industries like robotics, automation, and semiconductors continue to grow, professionals will need to be well-versed in these areas to stay competitive. Additionally, skills such as collaboration and effective oral and written communication will be crucial for advancing in one's career.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Davis: Engineers engage in various daily activities that are intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Every task is a step toward a tangible accomplishment, from innovating, designing, testing, and implementing new technologies to troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve quality. They may spend time in meetings discussing project progress, collaborating with colleagues, and planning future steps, all of which contribute to the sense of achievement. Engineers often use software tools to create designs, analyze data, and simulate systems, further enhancing their productivity and satisfaction. Depending on the field, they might spend time in labs conducting experiments, on-site overseeing construction or manufacturing processes, or in offices working on plans and reports, all of which are opportunities to see their work come to fruition. Entry-level Engineers: A bachelor's degree in engineering trains engineers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Entry-level engineers might start with tasks like data collection and analysis or assisting senior engineers with projects. Entry-level engineers might also spend time shadowing more experienced colleagues, attending training sessions, and gradually taking on more responsibility and management as they gain experience.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Davis: Engineering offers career opportunities across various industries, from technology and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental sustainability. With technological advancements and the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change, food and clean water, and urbanization, engineers are in high demand to develop innovative solutions. For example, environmental engineers are crucial in developing sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and conserve resources. Engineering provides opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy tackling complex problems. The global focus on sustainability and renewable energy presents exciting prospects for engineers to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact society and the environment.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Richard Carbonaro Ph.D., P.E.: At the start of your career, there is a range of starting salaries for 'entry-level' chemical engineers. However, some sectors within chemical engineering such as petrochemicals and energy tend to be on the higher end of this range. Do the proper research to find the sector that is the right fit for you both in terms of compensation and work that you will enjoy. Once you are working in the industry, you can increase your salary more quickly by acquiring an advanced degree such as a Master's or getting additional training through certificate programs. Be aware of the opportunities for additional training at your company and through professional organizations such as American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe). Demonstrate to your supervisors that you are willing to learn, work hard, and be efficient to increase the chances of getting promotions and merit-based wage increases.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Carbonaro Ph.D., P.E.: The field of chemical engineering has always been evolving and expanding beyond the traditional oil and gas industry where it got its start in the late 1800's. I expect that it will continue to do so. The future of our field will likely put a greater emphasis on green chemistry and sustainability (i.e. energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy storage), and biotechnologies (i.e. biosynthesis of small molecules, production of biomaterials). With the development and availability of AI, additional work is needed to figure out how to apply it to chemical engineering problems. It has great potential to help us optimize chemical processes and provide assistance in the design process.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Carbonaro Ph.D., P.E.: The transition from university to the workforce can be daunting. The first month or two may be difficult, so anticipate challenges. Trust that your training in chemical engineering has provided you the knowledge you need to succeed. But, expect to learn a lot of job-specific skills that you were never taught in school.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: An underappreciated skill that I think will become more sought-after is the ability to validate computer-made decisions and their shortcomings. With the growing prominence of AI use in design, problem solving, and decision making, the engineering field will need experts to error-check decisions made using these technologies. Sometimes there are unexplored gaps that these technologies overlook, and sometimes there are biases or inappropriate assumptions baked into AI-based results. Humans are inherently imaginative and creative. We excel at picking up on things that computer algorithms may miss. Talented experts that recognize and address these issues will remain invaluable in the workforce. Another indispensable skill that is often overlooked in engineering is effective interpersonal communication. Whether in a teamwork context, a leadership role, or a client interaction, competent communication is crucial. This can take the form of conversation, live presentations, written correspondence, and beyond. People that hone their communication skills are often recognized, and tend to be the individuals that are promoted to more senior roles.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: To maximize salary potential, I recommend growing your professional network and being flexible within your career. Attending professional gatherings and rubbing shoulders goes a very long way. It’s amazing how you can casually bump into some well-respected team leader that’s trying to fill an opening or glean information about a new project that needs fresh talent. Network with people in diverse fields and roles. You never know who knows who. Making a positive impression and having someone recognize your name down the line can go a very long way!
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: My advice to recent graduates is to be open to non-conventional roles. Taking on responsibilities beyond one’s official discipline provides broader value to employers. Many students that graduate with degrees in mechanical engineering (or similar disciplines) find great success by stepping outside of their expected job title. Sometimes exploring roles with titles like “analyst” or “manager” or “designer” can provide interesting opportunities to apply one’s engineering skillset in an alternate context. The real strength of your degree is the transferable skillset that you developed along your educational journey. Keep your options open!
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Megumi Usui: Given the rapid advancement in AI technology, its potential integration into the drafting and design field remains uncertain in terms of timing and methodology. However, if and when AI becomes a significant component of this industry, it will be crucial to find ways to collaborate effectively with AI systems to leverage their capabilities for the betterment of society. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, this collaborative approach will be essential. In this evolving landscape, proficiency in CAD skills remains indispensable. It is important to emphasize that CAD expertise extends beyond mere modeling; professionals must also ensure that their designs are sustainable and adhere to the latest industry standards. This holistic approach is critical for addressing contemporary challenges and aligning with global sustainability goals. Moreover, the significance of complementary skills such as effective communication and time management cannot be overstated. These competencies are vital for the successful execution of projects and fostering productive collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. By integrating technical proficiency with these essential soft skills, professionals can excel in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment, positioning themselves to adapt to future technological advancement.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Megumi Usui: Even after obtaining a degree, it is crucial to recognize that continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of professional development in the workplace. One must cultivate an open-minded attitude and demonstrate a willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills at any time and in any context. Effective communication with colleagues and clients is essential for successful collaboration and project execution. It is important to understand that the professional environment is significantly different from the academic setting. In a company, the focus is delivering work that meets the expectations and standards set by the employer and satisfies the needs of clients, rather than merely fulfilling personal criteria. Furthermore, it is imperative to produce high-quality work consistently. Mediocre performance is unacceptable, and organizations will not hesitate to seek replacements if the work delivered does not meet their standards. Ensuring that your work is thorough, precise, and aligns with the company's objectives is critical for maintaining the position and advancing their career.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Michael Denn: 1. Become the expert in whatever you do. 2. Understand how your work fits into the bigger picture and keep that in mind when you do your work. 3. Keep learning! Your engineering degree is not the end of your education! 4. Take stretch assignments and opportunities whenever you can.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Denn: 1. The time needed to progress from an idea to a quality prototype is continually decreasing. That trend will likely continue. Skills that support short development times, such as computer modeling, simulations and rapid prototyping, will continue to be valued. 2. One skill that will always be valuable is the ability to acquire new knowledge and apply it to the task at hand.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Denn: The answers to this question are largely the same as the answer to question 1. However, here are some additional points: 1. Excel in your job. Become the person everyone goes to for whatever type of work you do. 2. Develop and maintain a career plan. Make sure your assignments and tasks align with your plan. When you have the opportunity to change positions, keep you plan in mind.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kelvin Erickson: Your performance on your first project will be extremely important. Do your “dead-level” best to exceed your supervisor’s expectations. For my first project, I was taking over a project from an engineer that left the company. One of the more experienced engineers spent a couple of days getting me started on it and outlined the remaining tasks. I took it from there, working with the other engineers on similar projects. The company was developing an entire new line of process control equipment, of which my project was one of the devices. Because of the unanticipated change in the project personnel, my manager expected a few months delay, but I completed the project by the original deadline. After that, there were other projects that I did not do so well on. But because I had succeeded so well in the beginning, it was not viewed negatively.
Kyle Miller
Welding Technologies instructor - Pipe TradesBellingham Technical College
Precision Metal Working
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Kyle Miller: Certifications and Qualifications. A worker can only build experience at a somewhat fixed rate based off of time in the field. Certifications however are a way for people on nearly all trades to augment their earning potential. I have often seen instances where the person who was the most willing to pursue a needed certification quickly became an indispensable asset amongst the crew/staff.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineers are instrumental in designing processes that produce a wide array of products across industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, food and beverages, and materials science. They engage in both research and development (R&D;) to innovate new products and applied engineering to refine existing processes. By leveraging data analysis software and machine learning, they enhance efficiency and validate processes through advanced modeling. They also ensure safety and regulatory compliance using cutting-edge monitoring systems and predictive analytics. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, chemical engineers foster innovation, embrace diverse perspectives, and solve complex problems effectively. For those new to the field, the initial focus is on comprehensive training and learning, often guided by experienced engineers. New chemical engineers support senior engineers with data collection, preliminary analysis, and documentation, gaining invaluable hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and industrial processes. This foundational experience is crucial for honing essential skills such as process design, data analysis, project management, teamwork, and effective communication with diverse audiences, all of which are applicable to any project in their career.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineering is a compelling field to enter now because of its critical role in advancing renewable energy and promoting the green economy. Chemical engineers lead the charge in developing sustainable technologies, such as green ammonia for eco-friendly fertilizers and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to reduce the aviation industry's carbon footprint. They are key players in driving innovations toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions, working on projects that minimize environmental impact and champion sustainable industrial practices. It is a profession that offers substantial opportunities to make a positive impact on both the environment and society.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineers thrive on tackling complex problems and embracing diverse projects, which offer ample opportunities for innovation and career growth. Their work profoundly impacts society, particularly in advancing sustainable technologies. However, the profession can be demanding, with high workloads, regulatory hurdles, and safety challenges. Ethical considerations must also be carefully balanced with industrial growth. Senior chemical engineering students transitioning from capstone design projects often find the experience stressful but invaluable. These projects mirror real-world engineering scenarios and equip them with practical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Additionally, they gain an understanding of the economic aspects of engineering projects, learning to assess cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility. These competencies are crucial for career success, offering versatility and a wide range of professional opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: A primary reason is the value placed on the quantitative nature of an engineering degree and the fact that this is primarily applied learning and skills, as opposed to the theoretical nature of some other areas of quantitative study. Being able to start working as soon as they start is very attractive to employers, as well as the broad knowledge of software, artificial intelligence, and data science that most engineers leave school with.
Jerry Gintz CMfgE
Teaching ProfessorArizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Manufacturing Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Engineer?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: When entering a career in manufacturing engineering, consider starting as a technician to gain experience with the company before transitioning into engineering. This will allow you to build confidence and better understand the production systems you will be responsible for as an engineer.
What Manufacturing Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, the most important skills an engineer will need is the ability to understand, design, assemble, and deploy production capable systems. This includes an expertise with computer-aided engineering tools to assist in the design and verification of engineered systems before a company expends capital on the equipment.
What will help Manufacturing Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, compensation is normally tied to capability so the more relevant skills a candidate has entering the workforce the higher compensation they can expect to receive. This is especially true in manufacturing given the shortage of qualified engineering talent available for hire. Additionally, consider focusing on industrial automation as a resource to aid efficient production. Manufacturing is always looking to increase efficiency and a foundational knowledge of industrial automation systems will serve you well as you build a career in manufacturing engineering.