High School

Manufacturing engineers must have an excellent academic background in biology, chemistry, mathematics (algebra, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry), and physics. Other essential classes include computer science, design, and English.

Postsecondary Training

A bachelor's degree in engineering is the minimum requirement for manufacturing engineering jobs. Some employers may require engineers to have a master's degree. Many engineers have bachelor's degrees in industrial engineering. Courses include quality control, manufacturing process design, manufacturing systems operations, computer control of manufacturing systems, as well as core classes in mathematics, physics, general engineering, life science, English, and humanities. Standard engineering programs also include computer and design studies, and may include non-engineering, liberal arts studies.

Some engineering schools offer five-year degree programs in industrial engineering, for a bachelor's and master's degree upon completion. Many schools offer a combination of classroom study and practical work; these cooperative education programs may last for five or six years.

ABET is the official accrediting agency for postsecondary engineering and engineering educational programs. Find accredited programs at https://www.abet.org.

Other Education or Training

Manufacturing engineers take classes and attend workshops and educational programs throughout their careers. They must stay current on industry developments, technologies, and business practices. Organizations that offer continuing education for engineers include the American Society for Engineering Education, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers, to name only a few. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Manufacturing engineers who wish to work directly with the public must be licensed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Those who are licensed are called professional engineers (PE). Licensing requirements include a bachelor's degree from a school accredited by ABET, the accrediting board for engineering and technology, four years of relevant work experience, and passing the state examination. States often recognize licenses from other states. Licensing is a two-stage process. New engineers may take the Fundamentals in Engineering examination after graduating from college, after which they are considered engineers in training (EIT) or engineer interns (EI). Once they achieve the work experience requirement, an EIT or EI then takes the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. In most states engineers must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their license. The exams are offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (https://ncees.org).

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers offers certification programs in various areas of manufacturing engineering. Some employer may prefer to hire engineers with certification. Find information at https://www.sme.org/certification.

Other Requirements

Manufacturing engineers who work in certain specializations, such as aerospace manufacturing or nuclear manufacturing engineering, may require security clearance from the federal government to work for defense contractors.

Manufacturing engineers usually have three or more years of experience and have received either on-the-job training or training through a vocational school. The job requires strong knowledge of mathematics, engineering and technology, and manufacturing processes and procedures. Manufacturing engineers must be able to identify and solve problems. They are analytical thinkers with strong deductive and inductive reasoning abilities. They have strong organizational skills and the ability to balance many priorities while completing work on schedule. They are also well versed in a variety of computer systems and software programs for engineering. A willingness to continue to learn throughout one's career is also essential in this job.