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Manufacturing engineers are responsible for the technical management, maintenance and development of new and existing production lines.

Manufacturing engineers work to improve the process of making products such as food and drink, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• designing new equipment, processes, procedures and systems

• purchasing and installing equipment

• repairing equipment

• responding to breakdowns

• investigating production problems

• making improvements to current operations to enhance efficiency

• supervising engineering and technical staff

• managing budgets

• maintaining statistical and financial records

• diagnosing faults

• planning and organising maintenance

• liaising with suppliers, customers and research and development staff.

Shift and ‘on-call' work may be required, particularly where manufacturing equipment is in continual 24-hour operation. Career progression often happens through moves into managerial positions or related areas of employment such as plant/production engineering.

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into this career for both school leavers and university graduates. Graduates will need a degree in a relevant subject such as manufacturing, mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering.

Key skills for manufacturing engineers

• Commercial awareness

• The ability to work well under pressure

• Problem-solving skills

• Teamworking skills

• Relevant technical knowledge

• Good leadership skills

• IT skills

• Analytical skills.

Typical employers of manufacturing engineers

Manufacturing engineers are employed by production and process companies such as food, drink and car manufacturers.