Manufacturing Engineer Job Description, Duties, Salary and More

What is a Manufacturing Engineer?

Manufacturing Engineers work in the field of industrial production. They plan out the details of how products will be manufactured and then supervise the execution of that plan. They look for ways to improve existing manufacturing processes in order to increase their speed, cost-effectiveness, and quality. They frequently focus on implementing automated means of production like robotics, assembly lines, and computer networks. They're often tasked with troubleshooting and maintaining production equipment and investigating ways to overcome constraints in the production process. Monitoring facilities to be sure that quality and regulatory standards are being met may also be part of the Manufacturing Engineer job description. A Manufacturing Engineer's resume typically includes a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering as well as other industry-specific certifications.

What are the usual duties and responsibilities of a Manufacturing Engineer?

Typical tasks performed by a Manufacturing Engineer may include:

• Design processes that will efficiently and effectively manufacture the company's products.
• Research varied manufacturing methods and materials and determine their cost-effectiveness.
• Design, build, and set up new manufacturing equipment.
• Inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.
• Analyze and optimize all aspects of existing manufacturing processes.
• Communicate with engineering departments regarding the manufacturing process.
• Carry out studies using the PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) structure.
• Monitor manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Evaluate the quality of both the raw materials entering and the finished products leaving manufacturing facilities.
• Create reports to communicate the state of the manufacturing to management, other departments, regulatory bodies, and/or clients.

What is the average Manufacturing Engineer's salary?

Indeed.com reports that the average annual salary for a Manufacturing Engineer in the United States is $81,221.

Glassdoor.com reports an average annual base pay for Manufacturing Engineers of $70,985 per year, with an estimated total pay of $95,782. They estimate that the average total pay usually ranges between $69k and $162k per year. They estimate that total compensation for new Manufacturing Engineers in their first year of experience averages around $95,654.

These numbers will vary based on locale, experience, the type of employer, and other factors.

Top Cities to work in as a Manufacturing Engineer

While by no means a comprehensive or definitive list, Indeed.com reports some of the highest salaries for Manufacturing Engineer jobs in the following cities. Also included is the cost of living index and city populations as reported by Numbeo and World Population Review.

Palmdale, CA

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Palmdale, CA: $96,265 per year (based on 32 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: Not Listed

Population: 151,842

Warsaw, IN

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Warsaw, IN: $88,846 per year (based on 11 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: Not Listed

Population: 15,405

Houston, TX

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Houston, TX: $87,195 per year (based on 21 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: 67.16

Population: 2,325,350

Santa Ana, CA

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Santa Ana, CA: $85,541 per year (based on 11 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: Not Listed

Population: 333,536

St. Louis, MO

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO: $78,873 per year (based on 9 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: 66.08

Population: 292,047

Salt Lake City, UT

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Salt Lake City: $78,141 per year (based on 22 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: 66.92

Population: 200,963

Charlotte, NC

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Charlotte, NC: $75,496 per year (based on 21 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: 68.84

Population: 925,290

Everette, WA

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Everette, WA: $74,334 per year (based on 7 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: Not Listed

Population: 112,636

Wichita, KS

Average Manufacturing Engineer salary in Wichita, KS: $72,369 per year (based on 13 reported salaries).

Cost of living index: 59.30