Manufacturing Engineers
Manufacturing engineers design, build, and improve systems that produce goods in factories and industrial facilities. They work to make manufacturing processes more efficient and cost-effective, often collaborating with product designers to ensure items can be made well and affordably. Most positions are found in automotive, electronics, aerospace, and consumer goods industries.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against manufacturing engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A manufacturing engineer might spend mornings reviewing production data and identifying bottlenecks on the factory floor, then meet with the design team to discuss design modifications that reduce manufacturing time. Afternoons often involve testing new equipment, analyzing process improvements through simulation software, or troubleshooting equipment failures. The work balances hands-on problem-solving with technical analysis and documentation of changes.
Who this work suits
Holland code RIC. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy solving concrete, practical problems and understanding how things work—the realistic interest. You're also drawn to investigation and analysis, wanting to dig into data and test solutions systematically. You're comfortable with technical tools and enjoy improving existing systems through logical reasoning.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Manufacturing Quality Engineer · Meta · USA · Remote
- Manufacturing and Quality Engineer · Sunrun · United States · Remote
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $117,120 | $156,510 | $186,790 | 220 |
| Washington | $102,400 | $129,050 | $155,920 | 6,130 |
| Oregon | $100,850 | $128,290 | $165,780 | 5,810 |
| New Mexico | $96,810 | $128,090 | $160,240 | 1,140 |
| California | $98,380 | $124,600 | $154,190 | 32,680 |
| Hawaii | $97,190 | $123,800 | $155,770 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $97,520 | $122,920 | $154,320 | 1,710 |
| Wyoming | $93,160 | $122,070 | $142,500 | 240 |
| Delaware | $100,770 | $120,190 | $143,000 | 820 |
| Maryland | $98,870 | $119,930 | $153,340 | 3,900 |
| Colorado | $95,160 | $109,750 | $133,290 | 5,200 |
| Massachusetts | $96,100 | $109,420 | $132,260 | 11,470 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) — Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) — Association for Facilities Engineering
- Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) — Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- Certified Additive Manufacturing Technician (CAMT) — Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) — American Society for Quality
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) — American Society for Quality
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against manufacturing engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 17-2112.03 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.