Want to become a manufacturing engineer?
Designers as well as analytical and creative thinkers, manufacturing engineers have a high level of technical expertise and skill, which they use to plan, design, setup, modify, optimise and monitor manufacturing processes.
They can work in numerous sectors including food and drink, oil, plastics and pharmaceuticals. They produce high quality goods efficiently using the most cost-effective methods and with the aim of reducing the impact of production on the environment.
The overall aim would be to help the factory produce goods on time, on budget and to strict quality standards. Manufacturing engineers also work with other professionals, in areas such as finance and health and safety. Responsibilities may also include maintaining records, purchasing and managing staff and budgets.
Attributes required include good communication skills, a mathematical and mechanical mind, an interest in the way things work and why they do or don’t work well. Your working environment would depend on your industry; you could be on the factory floor one day and working in an office or laboratory the next.