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Engineer a Secure Career in Manufacturing

By Kate McIntyre
Learning & Life Columnist
December 1, 2006

Many people might think that engineering careers in manufacturing in the U.S. are on the decline, due to outsourcing. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these careers are enjoying high demand and healthy growth, and there are many new opportunities in the venerable field of manufacturing engineering. Assembly lines may be going overseas, but U.S. companies need homegrown talent to design them in the first place, and make sure they work. With a median salary of about $50,000 a year, manufacturing engineering is a safe bet for a stable and surprisingly creative career.

Job Descriptions for Industrial and Mechanical Engineers

Engineers who work in manufacturing most often have training in mechanical or industrial engineering. Traditionally, mechanical engineers work to develop, design, and manufacture mechanical devices such as factory parts and engines. Today, many mechanical engineers perform the same jobs as industrial engineers. Industrial engineers design manufacturing systems. They increase efficiency by analyzing all of the tasks performed in manufacturing and figuring out ways to streamline unnecessary parts and labor. In order to eliminate wasted time and resources, they might videotape production lines to see where changes can be made, or trace a product's creation from raw materials to market-ready. With their help, companies can increase their profit margins and get products out into the market faster.

Engineering Education and Salaries

Engineers need bachelor's degrees to get started. Most universities offer specializations within engineering, such as nuclear engineering, environmental engineering, and electrical engineering. Mechanical engineering and industrial engineering degree programs both offer excellent preparation for manufacturing engineering.

If you enjoy learning about math and science, working with other people, and coming up with creative solutions to problems, an engineering career in manufacturing could be a great option for you. The solid growth of this career path ensures that there will be many good job openings for qualified applicants.

Sources

• "Engineers," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• "Five Careers: Big Demand, Big Pay," CNNMoney.com

About the Author
Kate McIntyre, a fiction writer in Portland, Oregon, holds an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.

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