Manufacturing systems engineer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a manufacturing systems engineer you would work with production managers in factories to design and install new manufacturing equipment and assembly lines. You might also be involved in the building of new manufacturing plants.

You would manage each phase of a project, overseeing the work 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 approval
• installing new equipment and machinery
• investigating and fixing production problems
• drawing up operation and training guidelines.

Your overall aim would be to help the factory produce goods on time, on budget and to strict quality standards.

Hours

You might work standard office hours Monday to Friday, or you could work shifts and or be involved in an on-call rota, depending on the project.

Your working environment would depend upon your industry. You could be working on the factory floor one day and working in an office or laboratory the next.

Income

• Starting salaries can be between £22,500 and £25,000 a year.
• Experienced engineers can earn between £26,000 and £35,000.
• Chartered engineers can earn over £40,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You could start work as a trainee engineer if you have foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree in a subject like:

• manufacturing systems engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• production or manufacturing engineering.

To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) website also has details of accredited engineering courses.

• Institution of Mechanical Engineers

If you have qualifications in another branch of engineering, you may find it useful to take a postgraduate course like an MSc in manufacturing systems engineering to gain the required skills and knowledge.

You may also be able to get into this career starting off as an engineering technician apprentice with a manufacturer or engineering company and then after your Apprenticeship going on to higher education qualifications.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the skills employers need from their workers. For more information, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

To get on to an Apprenticeship, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs (A-C), including maths, English and a science subject.

For more general information about engineering as a career, see the Tomorrow’s Engineers website.

• Tomorrow's Engineers

Training and development

You would be expected to update your skills and knowledge throughout your career through a process of continuing professional development (CPD).

You could improve your career prospects by working towards incorporated or chartered engineer status. To do this, you would have to register with your relevant professional body and apply to the Engineering Council UK.

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. You can visit the Engineering Council UK website for full details about registration.

• Engineering Council UK

Skills and knowledge

• strong maths, science and IT skills
• excellent problem-solving skills
• an understanding of the manufacturing process
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• the ability to organise and plan effectively
• the ability to make quick decisions while under pressure
• the ability to work to project deadlines
• an awareness of health and safety.

More information

SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK)
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 643 9001
www.semta.org.uk

Women into Science, Engineering and Construction
Athlone Wing
Old Building
Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD7 1AY
Tel: 01274 436485
www.theukrc.org/wise

Institution of Mechanical Engineers
1 Birdcage Walk
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
Tel: 020 7222 7899
www.imeche.org.uk

Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland)
Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
www.etcni.org.uk

Tomorrow's Engineers
EngineeringUK
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7EX
Email: careers@engineeringuk.com
Tel: 020 3206 0400
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Institution of Engineering and Technology
Michael Faraday House
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2AY
Tel: 01438 313 311
www.theiet.org

Opportunities

You could find work in any branch of manufacturing, such as the automotive, food and drink, aerospace, pharmaceutical and electronics industries.

With experience, you may be able to move into senior management, a partnership in an engineering firm or self-employment as a consultant.

If you work for a larger multinational company, you may have the chance to work on overseas contracts.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

• Just Engineers
• The Engineer Online
• Totally Engineering
• Flipside Magazine
• Directgov (Jobseekers page)