About Manufacturing Engineering

Commonly Asked Questions
about Manufacturing Engineering

What is Manufacturing Engineering?

The manufacturing engineer is responsible for helping design products as well as deciding how to build the product after the design specifications are determined. To practice this profession it is necessary to have a special knowledge of manufacturing processes and a working knowledge of many other disciplines. Manufacturing Engineering is one of the common engineering disciplines in Europe.

How Can I Become a Manufacturing Engineer?

You have to take all of the basic courses that most engineers take and learn about manufacturing processes and the mechanical and electrical systems that they are part of. In addition, you will learn about engineering materials and how they are transformed through manufacturing processes to change them into the products we all use. Computers are an important link in all of this because they help us with engineering design and manufacturing control. They tell the machines how to carry out the instructions necessary to fabricate a product.

What Courses do Manufacturing Engineers Take?

Manufacturing engineering is a combination of traditional Industrial and Mechanical Engineering with special emphasis on manufacturing processes, computer aided design and computer integrated manufacturing. Below is a brief summary of the curriculum:

		Curriculum Area Topic Areas Covered Quarter Units Major Courses Introduction and Computers Engineering Design Graphics Cost Control, Economic Decision Making, Work Measurement Manufacturing Processes, Production Engineering, Measurement Production Planning & Control, Facilities Design/Simulation Computer Aided Engineering, ComputerAided Manufacturing Statistics, Statistical Methods, Statistical Quality Control Senior Seminar & Senior Project 6 6 11 16 11 15 10 6 Math, Basic Science, and Engineering Science Calculus & Differential Equations Biology Chemistry Physics Electrical Circuits, Instrumentation, Controls Statics, Dynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Strength of Materials 22 3 8 12 8 16 General Education Communications & Critical Thinking Humanities (Fine Arts, Philosophy, Literature/Foreign Languages) Social Sciences (History, Economics, Sociology, Ethnic Studies) Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development 12 16 20 4

What Jobs Can I get with a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering?

Any company that manufactures a product can use a manufacturing engineer. Large companies employ hundreds of people in this type of work. Since most of these employees don't have the advantage of the formal education that this degree provides, you will stand out as a highly advantaged individual. Every industry that manufactures a product or supplies parts needs manufacturing engineers. Salaries are competitive with other engineering degrees, but this unique degree stands out because they are so scarce! Quality is becoming even more important and many graduates are getting jobs in quality related fields.

How Much Can I Earn with a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering?

Starting salaries for Manufacturing Engineers are from $40,000 - $50,000 per year and can be higher for graduates with some work experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for engineers between 1998 - 2008 will be 4% higher than the national average job growth.