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Manufacturing systems engineer vs production engineer

The differences between manufacturing systems engineers and production engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a manufacturing systems engineer and a production engineer. Additionally, a production engineer has an average salary of $89,727, which is higher than the $84,708 average annual salary of a manufacturing systems engineer.

The top three skills for a manufacturing systems engineer include MES, SQL and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a production engineer are java, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing.

Manufacturing systems engineer vs production engineer overview

Manufacturing Systems EngineerProduction Engineer
Yearly salary$84,708$89,727
Hourly rate$40.73$43.14
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs118,69694,789
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a manufacturing systems engineer do?

A manufacturing systems engineer works to integrate entire manufacturing processes. The role of a manufacturing system engineer includes integrating a wide range of systems from production to supplies and sales, participating in a project from beginning to end, budgeting and performing resource allocation. They must also integrate the manufacturing process to allow for maximum production volume at lower costs and within a shorter time period.

What does a production engineer do?

A production engineer is responsible for monitoring the production operations, ensuring everyone's adherence to safety protocols, and evaluating the staff's performance, strategizing on maximizing productivity to deliver efficient results that would drive revenues and increase profitability. Production engineers inspect the reliability of production equipment and machinery, conducting preventive maintenance, and repair inconsistencies to prevent production delays. They also identify areas of improvement with the manufacturing processes and escalate best practices for improvement. A production engineer must be knowledgeable about technological advancements and incorporate ideas to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality of services.

Manufacturing systems engineer vs production engineer salary

Manufacturing systems engineers and production engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Manufacturing Systems EngineerProduction Engineer
Average salary$84,708$89,727
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $111,000Between $64,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaCheniere Energy
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between manufacturing systems engineer and production engineer education

There are a few differences between a manufacturing systems engineer and a production engineer in terms of educational background:

Manufacturing Systems EngineerProduction Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Manufacturing systems engineer vs production engineer demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturing systems engineers' and production engineers' demographics:

Manufacturing Systems EngineerProduction Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 86.1% Female, 13.9%Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.6% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between manufacturing systems engineer and production engineer duties and responsibilities

Manufacturing systems engineer example 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.
  • Support line team with PLC and SCADA troubleshooting.
  • Release BOM for all the engineering jobs using ERP software.
  • Show more

Production engineer example responsibilities.

  • Prepare tooling and gauging for CNC turning centers, manage the tooling cabinets, and rapport with vendors for tool sharpening.
  • Complete DMAIC project and 8D that lead to the resolution of vibration issue, project result in a $2M save.
  • Lead work cells to become a team; Harmonize/unite/motivate assembly personnel using Kaizen approach.
  • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
  • Install new filtration systems for aluminum boring machine centers.
  • Have prepared and used FMEA, PPAP documents and perform MSA studies.
  • Show more

Manufacturing systems engineer vs production engineer skills

Common manufacturing systems engineer skills
  • MES, 9%
  • SQL, 8%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Process Control, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
Common production engineer skills
  • Java, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Process Control, 4%

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