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Principal manufacturing engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a principal manufacturing engineer. Principal manufacturing engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or business. 66% of principal manufacturing engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 234 real principal manufacturing engineer resumes to see exactly what principal manufacturing engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for principal manufacturing engineers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online principal manufacturing engineer courses to help get the education required to be a principal manufacturing engineer.
What education do you need to become a principal manufacturing engineer?
What degree do you need to be a principal manufacturing engineer?
- Bachelor's, 66%
- Master's, 19%
- Associate, 12%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a principal manufacturing engineer?
- Business, 10%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for principal manufacturing engineers
| Principal manufacturing engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 9.43% |
| Northeastern University | 9.43% |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 7.55% |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 7.55% |
| The University of Tennessee - Knoxville | 5.66% |
Best majors for principal manufacturing engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 24.5% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 11.7% |
| 3 | Business | 9.8% |
| 4 | Industrial Technology | 8.6% |
| 5 | Industrial Engineering | 7.4% |
Best colleges for principal manufacturing engineers
The best colleges for principal manufacturing engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A principal manufacturing engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for principal manufacturing engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become principal manufacturing engineers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
4. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
6. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$53,880
Enrollment
6,590
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for principal manufacturing engineers
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1. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design and Manufacturing with Fusion 360
Design for manufacturing is the process of designing parts, components, or products with the understanding surrounding design requirements for a specific manufacturing method. This course explores the design for manufacture workflow and shows how to validate models and create the G code, the programming language needed to instruct the CNC machine on how to move. We practice the basics of part and assembly design, and tools such as animation, rendering, and simulations using Autodesk Fusion 360...
2. Engineering and Product Design Processes
Welcome to “Engineering and Product Design Processes!” In this short course, you will learn how engineering design processes and product design processes are carried out. After the course, you will be familiar with the steps in both design processes. You will also be familiar with the main goal of each design process, as well as their similarities and differences...
3. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
4. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development
Learn how everyday physical products are manufactured with no prior experience in engineering...
5. Intro to Digital Manufacturing with Autodesk Fusion 360
The manufacturing industry is making a digital transformation, allowing companies to customize production through advances in machine learning, sustainable design, generative design, and collaboration, with integrated design and manufacturing processes. This course introduces innovations in CAD and digital manufacturing, speaking to the rapid changes taking place that are forever transforming the future of making. This course will also explore foundational concepts behind Autodesk® Fusion 360™...
6. Semiconductor Packaging Manufacturing
This course will provide information on the various stages of semiconductor package manufacturing, including sort, assembly, and final test. In addition, we will also describe how to select, build, and test the packages with the die and other components to ensure the quality of the package and total assembly performance. We will also discuss the role of Process Control Systems in semiconductor manufacturing as they relate to quality testing. Specifically, we will explore how Process Control...
7. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
8. Mechanical design and Product development process
Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...
9. Autodesk CAD/CAM/CAE for Mechanical Engineering
The demand placed on today’s engineers goes above and beyond the job description. Products have become complex and engineers are more frequently asked to leave specialized roles and to take on a wide variety of tasks that are beyond their traditional responsibilities. These tasks are centered on form, fit, and function. Engineers need to factor in broader concerns such as cost, procurement, sustainability, manufacturability, and serviceability. Their role has moved away from an individual...
10. Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control
"Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control" can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5343, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This is our fourth course in our specialization on Embedding Sensor and Motors. To get the most out of this course, you should first take our first course entitled "Sensors and Sensor Circuits", our second course entitled "Motor and Motor Control Circuits", and our third course entitled "Pressure, Force, Motion, and Humidity...
11. Certified Quality Engineer Training [2022]
Comprehensive Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Exam Preparation Course (2022 Body of Knowledge)...
12. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...
13. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
14. Understanding Engineering Drawings
How Technical Information is Conveyed from Engineers and Designers to Manufacturing and Supply Chain Professionals...
15. Fundamentals of Manufacturing for an ERP like SAP
Manufacturing Fundamentals...
16. Statistical Process Control (SPC) Using Microsoft Excel
A Deep Dive into Analyzing your Process Data to Drive Quality Improvements within your Organization...
17. Root Cause Analysis and the 8D Corrective Action Process
A Comprehensive Approach to Problem Solving: Analysis, Containment, and Permanent Corrective Action...
18. Lean Manufacturing A-Z: Lean Operations Management
Lean Business Operations Management, Lean Process and Systems Improvement in Production and Industry. MBA style course...
19. Process Capability Analysis
A Powerful Tool Set for Understanding your Manufacturing Process Relative to Your Customers' Quality Expectations...
20. SAP CO - Product Costing S4HANA
End-to-End concepts and configurations of SAP S4HANA CO - Product Costing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for principal manufacturing engineers
The most affordable schools for principal manufacturing engineers are SUNY Farmingdale, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for principal manufacturing engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for principal manufacturing engineers.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for principal manufacturing engineers
The hardest universities for principal manufacturing engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for principal manufacturing engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for principal manufacturing engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for principal manufacturing engineers
The easiest schools for principal manufacturing engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, the university of texas permian basin, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a principal manufacturing engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for principal manufacturing engineers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
7. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
8. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
Average principal manufacturing engineer salary by education level
| Principal manufacturing engineer education level | Principal manufacturing engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $102,024 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $93,154 |
| Doctorate Degree | $110,343 |
Principal manufacturing engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025