Manufacturing Systems Engineer
What is the work like?
As a manufacturing systems engineer, you would work with production managers in factories to design, develop and install new manufacturing equipment and assembly lines. You might also be involved in the building of entirely new manufacturing plants.
You would manage each phase of a project, overseeing the work of a team of technicians and other professionals. Your duties could include:
- estimating costs for bids and tenders, covering equipment, time and labour
- building 3-D models with computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software
- testing systems and analysing data to work out the most cost-effective production methods
- presenting plans to managers and clients for their final approval
- installing new equipment and machinery
- investigating and fixing production problems
- drawing up operation and training guidelines for new equipment and processes.
Your overall aim with these tasks would be to help the factory produce goods on time, on budget and to exact quality standards.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You could start as a trainee engineer with a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree in a subject such as:
- manufacturing systems engineering
- electrical or electronic engineering
- mechanical engineering
- production or manufacturing engineering.
If you have qualifications in another branch of engineering, you may have to take a postgraduate course like an MSc in manufacturing systems engineering to gain the skills and knowledge needed for this field.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers have details of colleges and universities offering relevant engineering courses for this job.
For more general information about engineering careers, see the websites for SEMTA and Women into Science, Engineering and Construction. The Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) has careers information and a course database for local colleges.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working, you would be expected to continually update your skills through professional development.
Gaining incorporated or chartered status
You could help your career development by working towards incorporated or chartered engineer status. To do this, you would have to register with the relevant industry body for your area of work, then apply to the Engineering Council UK. See the Engineering Council UK website for more details.
As an incorporated engineer, you would specialise in the day-to-day management of engineering operations. At chartered level, you would have a more strategic role, planning, researching and developing new ideas, and streamlining management methods.
Where can I go for more information?
2nd FloorWeston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1B 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0408
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282167
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
London
WC2R 0BL
Tel: 020 7240 1871
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
Tel: 020 7222 7899
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- New manufacturing systems engineers start between £22,500 and £25,000.
- Experienced engineers can earn between £26,000 and £35,000.
- Chartered engineers can earn over £40,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your standard working hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, these could vary and may involve shiftwork and on-call duties, depending on the contract.
Your working environment depends upon your industry and you may find yourself switching from working on the factory floor one day, to working in an office or laboratory the next.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- strong maths, science and IT skills
- excellent analytical skills
- the ability to organise and plan effectively
- excellent communication and presentation skills
- a thorough understanding of production processes like 'lean manufacturing'
- the ability to make quick, clear decisions while under pressure
- the ability to work to project deadlines
- a commitment to keep up to date with new developments
- an awareness of health and safety responsibilities.
What opportunities are there?
You can find work in all branches of manufacturing, such as the automotive, food and drink, aerospace, pharmaceutical and electronics industries.
Although manufacturing has seen a decline in recent years, if you have good technical, research and development skills, you are likely to be in demand as new manufacturing processes are partly driven by innovations in science and technology.
With professional development training, you may have the opportunity to move into senior management jobs, partnership in an engineering firm or self-employment as a consultant. If you work for a larger company, you may be given the chance to work on overseas contracts, setting up manufacturing systems in emerging economies.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
SCENTA
The Engineer
JustEngineers.net
Engineering Jobs Network
Oil and Gas 4U
Engineering4professionals
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