What does a value engineer do?
A value engineer specializes in designing and developing procedures and strategies to enhance the value of projects and operations in an organization. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies on their company or industry of employment, it usually includes conducting research and analysis, reviewing documentation, developing tools, creating and presenting financial models, and help in developing processes and practices to optimize operations. Moreover, a value engineer typically works in a team environment, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.
Value engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real value engineer resumes:
- Lead and assist maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
- Use SolidWorks to design machine parts and sheet metal enclosures for use on industrial gas instrumentation.
- Own and write user-requirement specifications for error recovery, new equipment/technology and ISO compliance.
- Conduct engine fit and function tests with prototype electrical hardware to ensure product meets customer requirements in performance and durability.
- Develop and implement processes and procedures for ISO certification program and execute internal ISO auditing.
Value engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Value Engineers are proficient in Project Management, CAD, and Sigma. They’re also known for soft skills such as Speaking skills, Writing skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Value Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 12%
Followed Navy Project Management/US Navy standards for earned value project cost controls and scheduling.
- CAD, 9%
Revised and released new and existing data and databases to synchronize in preparation of CAD driven bills of material.
- Sigma, 7%
Initiated cost reduction and process improvement projects using the Value Engineering (VE) methodology and Lean Six Sigma.
- Product Design, 6%
Work closely with Product design engineers in Beaufort and Modesto CA, while creating Design-for-Manufacturing improvements on new and existing products.
- Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Supported manufacturing operations utilizing Lean Manufacturing techniques.
- Lean Six Sigma, 6%
Maintained daily planet operation, performed and analyze lean six sigma methodology.
Common skills that a value engineer uses to do their job include "project management," "cad," and "sigma." You can find details on the most important value engineer responsibilities below.
Speaking skills. One of the key soft skills for a value engineer to have is speaking skills. You can see how this relates to what value engineers do because "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." Additionally, a value engineer resume shows how value engineers use speaking skills: "presented and complied data analysis for vice-president of process technology. "
Writing skills. Many value engineer duties rely on writing skills. "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference," so a value engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways value engineer responsibilities rely on writing skills: "contribute to the iso 9002 certification and site surveillance, including sop and instruction writing. "
Creativity. value engineers are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to value engineer responsibilities, because "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." A value engineer resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "worked along with a team of 3 for efficient inventory management in the make-to-order production process. "
Listening skills. A big part of what value engineers do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to value engineer responsibilities because "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical value engineer tasks: "organized weekly team meetings, 8d corrective action review and communicated results to leadership. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for a value engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what value engineers relies on this skill, since "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." How this skill relates to value engineer duties can be seen in an example from a value engineer resume snippet: "completed quantitative and qualitative analysis of existing material and process issues. "
Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a value engineer does. Value engineer responsibilities require this skill because "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." This resume example highlights how value engineer duties rely on this skill: "design solution development - use of brainstorming sessions, resident expert discussions, manufacturing, service, etc. "
The three companies that hire the most value engineers are:
- 3M Company20 value engineers jobs
- General Electric7 value engineers jobs
- Amazon2 value engineers jobs
Compare different value engineers
Value engineer vs. Process improvement engineer
A process improvement engineer specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop new strategies and ideas to improve the processes in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They prioritize efficiency and profitability. Most of the time, engineers participate in a series of meetings where they coordinate with fellow engineers to determine opportunities for product growth and development. Moreover, a process improvement engineer is also responsible for crafting new policies and regulations, upgrading systems, and developing new practices to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, value engineer responsibilities require skills like "cad," "product design," "value analysis," and "solidworks." Meanwhile a typical process improvement engineer has skills in areas such as "healthcare," "performance improvement," "patients," and "business process." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Process improvement engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $89,829. In contrast, value engineers make the biggest average salary, $81,403, in the manufacturing industry.The education levels that process improvement engineers earn slightly differ from value engineers. In particular, process improvement engineers are 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a value engineer. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Value engineer vs. Senior manufacturing engineer
A Senior Manufacturing Engineer works in a company's production operations and is responsible for developing and improving manufacturing processes. They analyze and propose solutions to engineering problems.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real value engineer resumes. While value engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "value analysis," "cost models," "brainstorming," and "data analysis," senior manufacturing engineers use skills like "process control," "corrective action," "sr," and "fda."
On average, senior manufacturing engineers earn a higher salary than value engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior manufacturing engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,567. Whereas value engineers have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $81,403.In general, senior manufacturing engineers achieve similar levels of education than value engineers. They're 0.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for value engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Jerry Leth
VP/General Manager, MANA
Value engineer vs. Product development engineer
A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from value engineer resumes include skills like "lean six sigma," "value stream," "value analysis," and "continuous improvement," whereas a product development engineer is more likely to list skills in "prototype," "c++," "test methods," and "medical devices. "
Product development engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $86,062. Value engineers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $81,403.product development engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to value engineers. Specifically, they're 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Value engineer vs. Senior product engineer
A senior product engineer specializes in optimizing product designs and manufacturing procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They are typically in charge of performing market research and analysis, utilizing the results as a basis in designing new products and upgrading existing designs. Moreover, they coordinate with product development teams to cultivate ideas, develop prototypes and test structures, and oversee the material selection that will make the products possible. As a senior product engineer, it is essential to monitor the entire progress and lead the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between value engineers and senior product engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a value engineer might have more use for skills like "value stream," "value analysis," "cost models," and "brainstorming." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior product engineers require skills like "java," "product engineering," "c++," and "sr."
Senior product engineers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $101,290. For comparison, value engineers earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.senior product engineers reach similar levels of education compared to value engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 4.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of value engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
