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What is a manufacturing systems engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
James Swisher,
David Blunck Ph.D.

A manufacturing systems engineer is in charge of designing, evaluating, and installing systems in manufacturing equipment. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to design the systems. They also analyze production processes and oversee the installation, repair, reassembly of equipment. Their ultimate objective is to ensure production processes are efficient and that products are produced at the lowest cost in the shortest time.

Manufacturing systems engineers work closely with other stakeholders such as designers, plant managers, researchers, engineering consultants, and other non-technical staff. They mostly work in factories. A successful manufacturing systems engineer should have strong technical skills, teamwork skills, communication skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail.

A manufacturing systems engineer works 40 hours a week Monday to Friday from 9 to 5. They can work in an office setting, a factory, or in a laboratory. Depending on their area of work, they may work beyond the 40 hours in case they have urgent project deadlines.

What general advice would you give to a manufacturing systems engineer?

James SwisherJames Swisher LinkedIn profile

Director of Continuing Education, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers

It's truly an exciting time to be an Industrial and Systems Engineer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects demand for ISEs to grow by 10% over the next ten years, which is much faster than the rate for all occupations. Firms across a broad range of industries will continue to focus on the skills that ISEs bring to improve efficiencies, enhance quality, and lower costs. In addition, ISEs bring skills in the related fields of big data, artificial intelligence, and project management that make them extremely valuable to organizations. ISEs ability to quickly make an impact in an organization also means that their potential for promotion is very good. It's a great profession to be in.
ScoreManufacturing Systems EngineerUS Average
Salary
6.6

Avg. Salary $84,708

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 14.56%

Black or African American 4.56%

Hispanic or Latino 11.19%

Unknown 3.92%

White 65.60%

Gender

female 13.85%

male 86.15%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Manufacturing systems engineer career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing systems engineer

  1. Explore manufacturing systems engineer education requirements

    Most common manufacturing systems engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.3 %

    Master's

    13.1 %

    Associate

    11.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific manufacturing systems engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    MES9.48%
    SQL7.81%
    Lean Manufacturing6.04%
    Project Management5.60%
    Process Control4.77%
  3. Complete relevant manufacturing systems engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing systems engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing systems engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing systems engineer resumes.
  4. Research manufacturing systems engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage new CNC plasma steel plate cutting work center, product assembly methods, quality standards, & BOM.
    • Lead department in internal/external ISO quality environmental audits.
    • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
    • Plan and implement PLC maintenance.
  5. Prepare your manufacturing systems engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manufacturing systems engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a manufacturing systems engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable manufacturing systems engineer resume templates

    Build a professional manufacturing systems engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your manufacturing systems engineer resume.
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing Systems Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for manufacturing systems engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a manufacturing systems engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first manufacturing systems engineer job

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Average manufacturing systems engineer salary

The average manufacturing systems engineer salary in the United States is $84,708 per year or $41 per hour. Manufacturing systems engineer salaries range between $64,000 and $111,000 per year.

Average manufacturing systems engineer salary
$84,708 Yearly
$40.73 hourly

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How do manufacturing systems engineers rate their job?

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Manufacturing systems engineer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Improve 5's & increase productivity, manpower reduction...n+/- concept..

Cons

Can be managed accordingly situation.


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

The diversity of tasks, interaction with all stakeholders, continuous learning process, communication. Allows great progression in many technical skills

Cons

Stakeholders missing deadlines


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Being on the field doing running inspections and learning from the technicians

Cons

Being expose to bad weather that compromise the safety of operations.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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