What does a manufacturing/mechanical engineer do?
A manufacturing mechanical engineer is responsible for inspecting and maintaining the performance of all mechanical equipment and machinery to support the production processes in a manufacturing center. Manufacturing mechanical engineers run quality checks with the outputs, identify areas of improvement, and recommend efficient tools and procedures to maximize productivity and improve the quality of deliverables. They also handle the repairs and maintenance of defective components, design machinery, and create mechanical models for systems integration and minimize potential downtimes.
Manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real manufacturing/mechanical engineer resumes:
- Collaborate with internal company users to manage software and database improvements.
- Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
- Perform lab analysis on parts to confirm FEA solutions.
- Create schematics and PCB layouts for various product revisions.
- Identify stress concentrations and resolve plastic part failure utilizing FEA.
- Develop financial reports for management team to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and determine make vs. buy issues.
- Used Pro/e and SolidWorks for surface and advance design modification to ensure part production via injection molding.
- Perform preventative maintenance, repair, and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and hydraulics on plastic injection molding machines.
- Design manufacturing equipment and/or fixture utilizing SolidWorks.
- Research and drive database capacity expansions and operational improvements.
- Company dedicate to manufacture of automotive gearboxes (transmission).
- Perform rework on non-productive PCB assemblies to improve product yield and manufacturability.
- Work with prototyping new lighting fixtures, editing and correcting engineering change orders, and create customer drawings/documentation.
- Participate in design and process validation analysis to assure product consistency using SPC statistical methods to evaluate fastener torque.
- Collaborate with national and international clients to produce lithography inspection equipment used in the semiconductor, defense and aerospace industries.
Manufacturing/mechanical engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineers are proficient in Lean Manufacturing, Solidworks, and Mechanical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Creativity, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lean Manufacturing, 10%
Managed comprehensive projects, implemented lean manufacturing process, justified acquisition and installation of capital equipment.
- Solidworks, 7%
Designed manufacturing equipment and/or fixture utilizing SolidWorks.
- Mechanical Systems, 6%
Lead the field service support on mechanical systems for domestic and international locations.
- Corrective Action, 4%
Analyzed component failures and generated corrective action reports of production materials to recommend design changes.
- Hand Tools, 4%
Reduced OSHA recordables by implementing ergonomic pneumatic tools, torque reaction arms, and by redesigning hand tools.
- Process Control, 4%
Determine process capability, performance trends and metrics using SPC (Statistical Process Control) tools.
Common skills that a manufacturing/mechanical engineer uses to do their job include "lean manufacturing," "solidworks," and "mechanical systems." You can find details on the most important manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities below.
Mechanical skills. The most essential soft skill for a manufacturing/mechanical engineer to carry out their responsibilities is mechanical skills. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Additionally, a manufacturing/mechanical engineer resume shows how their duties depend on mechanical skills: "managed all mechanical product development and sustaining engineering issues associated with product manufacturing. "
Creativity. Many manufacturing/mechanical engineer duties rely on creativity. "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery," so a manufacturing/mechanical engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities rely on creativity: "used autodesk inventor / solidworks cad tools. "
Listening skills. manufacturing/mechanical engineers are also known for listening skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." A manufacturing/mechanical engineer resume example shows how listening skills is used in the workplace: "communicated with suppliers on design changes and cost reductions to suppliers. "
Math skills. manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This resume example shows what manufacturing/mechanical engineers do with math skills on a typical day: "build accurate geometric cad models geometry as needed according to customer drawings and design. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in manufacturing/mechanical engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what manufacturing/mechanical engineers do. Manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." You can also see how manufacturing/mechanical engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "provided solutions to avoid the failures using fmea and doe process. "
The three companies that hire the most manufacturing/mechanical engineers are:
- The Coca-Cola Company9 manufacturing/mechanical engineers jobs
- Xylem6 manufacturing/mechanical engineers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies5 manufacturing/mechanical engineers jobs
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Compare different manufacturing/mechanical engineers
Manufacturing/mechanical 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between manufacturing/mechanical engineers and engineer. For instance, manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities require skills such as "lean manufacturing," "mechanical systems," "corrective action," and "hand tools." Whereas a engineer is skilled in "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. Comparatively, manufacturing/mechanical engineers tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $75,451.engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than manufacturing/mechanical engineers. In fact, engineers are 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing/mechanical engineer vs. Design engineer
A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs. A design engineer also provides recommendations on improving existing systems to boost its performance and increase efficiency. Design engineers must have an excellent command of computer systems, programming codes, and technical data to ensure the system's stability and high-quality processes. A design engineer should also have strong analytical and time-management skills to perform tasks and meet deadlines.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real manufacturing/mechanical engineer resumes. While manufacturing/mechanical engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "lean manufacturing," "solidworks," "mechanical systems," and "corrective action," design engineers use skills like "c++," "ul," "work ethic," and "engineering design."
Design engineers may earn a higher salary than manufacturing/mechanical engineers, but design engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,213. On the other hand, manufacturing/mechanical engineers receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $75,451.In general, design engineers achieve similar levels of education than manufacturing/mechanical engineers. They're 4.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for manufacturing/mechanical engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Marcus Duck
Academic Specialist, Michigan State University
Manufacturing/mechanical engineer vs. Equipment engineer
The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from manufacturing/mechanical engineer resumes include skills like "mechanical systems," "hand tools," "troubleshoot," and "gd," whereas an equipment engineer is more likely to list skills in "equipment performance," "semiconductor," "cad," and "preventive maintenance. "
Equipment engineers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $108,645. On the other hand, manufacturing/mechanical engineers are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $75,451.equipment engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to manufacturing/mechanical engineers. Specifically, they're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing/mechanical 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.
Types of manufacturing/mechanical engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
