# Manufacturing Engineers

> Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 17-2112.03
- **Summary:** Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

## Aliases

- Manufacturing Engineer
- Plant Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Process Improvement Engineer
- Facility Engineer
- Advance Manufacturing Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Engineer
- Foundry Process Engineer
- Lean Manufacturing Engineer
- Manufacturing Applications Engineer

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Troubleshoot new or existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.b |
| Investigate or resolve operational problems, such as material use variances or bottlenecks. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve manufacturing processes or products or to reduce costs, using knowledge of fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, or product design, materials and parts. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.i |
| Apply continuous improvement methods, such as lean manufacturing, to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, or cost-effectiveness. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.d |
| Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing. | Core | 4.A.4.b.6.d |
| Incorporate new manufacturing methods or processes to improve existing operations. | Core | 4.A.3.b.2.c |
| Review product designs for manufacturability or completeness. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Determine root causes of failures or recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods, using statistical procedures. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.b |
| Prepare reports summarizing information or trends related to manufacturing performance. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.o |
| Design layout of equipment or workspaces to achieve maximum efficiency. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Prepare documentation for new manufacturing processes or engineering procedures. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Communicate manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, or other information to facilitate production processes. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.h |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Determine operational methods. | 4.A.2.b.1.d |
| Create graphical representations of industrial production systems. | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans. | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Determine causes of operational problems or failures. | 4.A.2.b.1.b |
| Install production equipment or systems. | 4.A.3.a.2.t |
| Design industrial equipment. | 4.A.3.b.2.c |
| Estimate operational costs. | 4.A.1.b.3.b |
| Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects. | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Estimate time requirements for development or production projects. | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Assess product or process usefulness. | 4.A.2.a.1.g |
| Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products. | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Resolve operational performance problems. | 4.A.4.a.7.c |
| Prepare procedural documents. | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources. | 4.A.4.c.3.e |
| Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality. | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Prepare operational reports. | 4.A.3.b.6.o |
| Provide technical guidance to other personnel. | 4.A.4.b.6.d |
| Update technical knowledge. | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Supervise production or support personnel. | 4.A.4.b.4.a |
| Train personnel on proper operational procedures. | 4.A.4.b.3.d |
| Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects. | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Design industrial processing systems. | 4.A.3.b.2.c |
| Investigate the environmental impact of projects. | 4.A.1.a.1.j |
| Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability. | 4.A.2.b.2.q |
| Implement design or process improvements. | 4.A.2.b.1.i |
| Develop technical methods or processes. | 4.A.3.b.2.f |
| Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance. | 4.A.4.b.6.e |
| Devise research or testing protocols. | 4.A.2.b.2.s |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 4.42 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 4.42 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.08 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 4 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 4 |
| Design | knowledge | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 4 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 4 |
| Visualization | ability | 4 |
| Near Vision | ability | 4 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.96 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.88 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.88 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.88 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.81 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.77 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Systems Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Systems Evaluation | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 3.75 |
| Number Facility | ability | 3.75 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Technology Design | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.62 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.62 |
| Originality | ability | 3.62 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.62 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.5 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Visio | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft SharePoint | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Project | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Siemens NX | Specialized Skill |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Specialized Skill |
| Minitab | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | Common Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | yes |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | yes |
| C | Development environment software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Project | Project management software | yes | no |
| Microsoft SharePoint | Document management software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Visio | Process mapping and design software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Visual Basic | Development environment software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| R | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| The MathWorks MATLAB | Analytical or scientific software | yes | no |
| CNC Mastercam | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| Computer numerical control CNC software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Eko | Desktop communications software | no | no |
| FileMaker Pro | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Geometric CAMWorks | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| IBM Notes | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Microsoft Exchange | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | Internet browser software | no | no |
| Minitab | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | Development environment software | no | no |
| Product lifecycle management PLM software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | no | no |
| Programmable logic controller PLC software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Siemens NX | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| SolidWorks Enterprise PDM | Project management software | no | no |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| E-Mail | 5 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.88 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.62 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.38 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.27 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.27 |
| Contact With Others | 4.23 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.2 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.96 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.88 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.88 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.69 |
| Time Pressure | 3.62 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.5 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.38 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.35 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.35 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.23 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.15 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.12 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.12 |
| Level of Competition | 3.12 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.08 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.04 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.96 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 2.92 |
| Public Speaking | 2.58 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.56 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.54 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.5 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 2.42 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.35 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.27 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.19 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.19 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 2.19 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.12 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 1.96 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 4
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- **Experience:** A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- **Svp Range:** (7.0 to < 8.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Bachelor's Degree | 76 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 16 |
| Some College Courses | 4 |
| First Professional Degree | 4 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 6.33 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.27 |
| Dependability | work_style | 5 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 4.57 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 4.53 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.41 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 4 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 3.48 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 3.09 |
| Intellectual Curiosity | work_style | 3 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 2.69 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 2.67 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.37 |
| Innovation | work_style | 2.36 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.26 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 2.22 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 17-2112.00 | role-17-2112-00 | Industrial Engineers | Primary-Short |
| 17-2141.00 | role-17-2141-00 | Mechanical Engineers | Primary-Short |
| 11-3051.00 | role-11-3051-00 | Industrial Production Managers | Primary-Short |
| 17-2199.05 | role-17-2199-05 | Mechatronics Engineers | Primary-Short |
| 17-2041.00 | role-17-2041-00 | Chemical Engineers | Primary-Short |
| 17-2141.02 | role-17-2141-02 | Automotive Engineers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2131.00 | role-17-2131-00 | Materials Engineers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2072.00 | role-17-2072-00 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | Primary-Long |
| 17-2112.02 | role-17-2112-02 | Validation Engineers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2112.01 | role-17-2112-01 | Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | Primary-Long |
| 17-3026.00 | role-17-3026-00 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Supplemental |
| 17-3027.00 | role-17-3027-00 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Bachelor's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering | engineering |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | engineering-engineering-related-technologies-technicians |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 101140
- **Mean Wage:** 107900
- **Pct10Wage:** 70000
- **Pct25Wage:** 81910
- **Pct75Wage:** 127480
- **Pct90Wage:** 157140
- **Employment:** 350230
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 237030 | 100060 | 8.18 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 50290 | 106420 | 2.06 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 20150 | 101930 | 7.67 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 15770 | 115210 | 2.47 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 15570 | 101700 | 1.14 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 7860 | 97440 | 0.47 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 4630 | 102360 | 11.96 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 3050 | 83820 | 5.17 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 2170 | 128220 | 0.33 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 2110 | 148850 | 1.62 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 2000 | 96320 | 0.11 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 1380 | 92320 | 0.14 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 4630 | 11.96 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 237030 | 8.18 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 20150 | 7.67 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 3050 | 5.17 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 15770 | 2.47 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 50290 | 2.06 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 2110 | 1.62 |
| 221113 | 221113 | Nuclear Electric Power Generation | National industry | 120 | 1.42 |
- **Count:** 32

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.029 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 1.13787 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 1.485018 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.9050576 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 81
- **Percentile:** 85
- **Band:** High
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 80 | felten_aioe |
| 81 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 81 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 1.13787 | 80 | High | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.9148936170212766 | 81 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.2532982187319553 | 81 | High | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.029
- **Percentile:** 18
- **Band:** Low
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** yes

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.0425531914893617
- **Beta:** 0.4787234042553191
- **Gamma:** 0.9148936170212766

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing. | 0.00729225295695722 | 4.04 |
| Design, install, or troubleshoot manufacturing equipment. | 0.0030812336437847413 | 3.62 |
| Prepare reports summarizing information or trends related to manufacturing performance. | 0.002875818067532425 | 3.87 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 11
- **Growth Percentile:** 93
- **Direction:** Growing fast
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 25.2
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 82
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 351.1
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 389.6

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 24
- **Skills:** 47
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 34
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 0d1367e31e8eb7a0