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Manufacturing systems engineer vs tool engineer

The differences between manufacturing systems engineers and tool engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a manufacturing systems engineer, becoming a tool engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool engineer has an average salary of $101,135, 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 tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.

Manufacturing systems engineer vs tool engineer overview

Manufacturing Systems EngineerTool Engineer
Yearly salary$84,708$101,135
Hourly rate$40.73$48.62
Growth rate10%2%
Number of jobs118,69698,936
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4241
Years of experience46

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 tool engineer do?

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.

Manufacturing systems engineer vs tool engineer salary

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

Manufacturing Systems EngineerTool Engineer
Average salary$84,708$101,135
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $111,000Between $75,000 And $135,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CANovato, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between manufacturing systems engineer and tool engineer education

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

Manufacturing Systems EngineerTool Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityMichigan Technological University

Manufacturing systems engineer vs tool engineer demographics

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

Manufacturing Systems EngineerTool Engineer
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 86.1% Female, 13.9%Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%
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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage4%5%

Differences between manufacturing systems engineer and tool 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

Tool engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage mold vendors in the refurbishment of existing tooling and new mold construction.
  • Lead cross-functional teams that develop several emerging technology laser and CCD barcode scanner products.
  • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
  • Create Perl scripts and SQL store procedures for nightly batch job streams, data loads and corporate reporting.
  • Perform product design functions using AutoCad.
  • Create custom SQL's in db2 and oracle for the reports.
  • Show more

Manufacturing systems engineer vs tool engineer skills

Common manufacturing systems engineer skills
  • MES, 9%
  • SQL, 8%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Process Control, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
Common tool engineer skills
  • Python, 16%
  • Java, 8%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Linux, 6%
  • Jenkins, 5%
  • Ruby, 4%

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