Manufacturing Engineers

17-2112.03

Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Purchase equipment, materials, or parts.
• Troubleshoot new or existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes.
• Investigate or resolve operational problems, such as material use variances or bottlenecks.
• Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve manufacturing processes or products or to reduce costs, using knowledge of fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, or product design, materials and parts.
• Apply continuous improvement methods, such as lean manufacturing, to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, or cost-effectiveness.
• Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing.
• Incorporate new manufacturing methods or processes to improve existing operations.
• Review product designs for manufacturability or completeness.
• Determine root causes of failures or recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods, using statistical procedures.
• Prepare reports summarizing information or trends related to manufacturing performance.
• Prepare documentation for new manufacturing processes or engineering procedures.
• Design layout of equipment or workspaces to achieve maximum efficiency.
• Communicate manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, or other information to facilitate production processes.
• Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff, or other engineers.
• Design, install, or troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.
• Evaluate manufactured products according to specifications and quality standards.
• Estimate costs, production times, or staffing requirements for new designs.
• Train production personnel in new or existing methods.
• Design tests of finished products or process capabilities to establish standards or validate process requirements.
• Analyze the financial impacts of sustainable manufacturing processes or sustainable product manufacturing.
• Develop sustainable manufacturing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize raw material use, replace toxic materials with non-toxic materials, replace non-renewable materials with renewable materials, or reduce waste.
• Evaluate current or proposed manufacturing processes or practices for environmental sustainability, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water pollution, energy use, or waste creation.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, participate in educational programs, attend meetings or workshops, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the manufacturing field.
• Redesign packaging for manufactured products to minimize raw material use or waste.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Minitab; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Microsoft SharePoint 🔥
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks ; PTC Creo Parametric
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - CNC Mastercam; Computer aided manufacturing CAM software; Geometric CAMWorks; Siemens NX
• Data base user interface and query software - FileMaker Pro; Microsoft Access 🔥
• Desktop communications software - Eko
• Development environment software - C 🔥; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW
• Electronic mail software - IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; Product lifecycle management PLM software; SAP software
• Industrial control software - Computer numerical control CNC software; Programmable logic controller PLC software; Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Internet browser software - Microsoft Internet Explorer; Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
• Determine causes of operational problems or failures.
• Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
• Resolve operational performance problems.
• Implement design or process improvements.
• Develop technical methods or processes.
• Determine operational methods.
• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Design industrial processing systems.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Create graphical representations of industrial production systems.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Supervise production or support personnel.
• Design industrial equipment.
• Install production equipment or systems.
• Assess product or process usefulness.
• Estimate operational costs.
• Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
• Estimate time requirements for development or production projects.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Devise research or testing protocols.
• Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
• Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
• Update technical knowledge.
• Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability.