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Manufacturing systems engineer

Alternative titles for this job include

Manufacturing systems engineers design and install manufacturing equipment and assembly production lines.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£48,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 41 a week

You could work

weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a manufacturing systems engineer

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in subjects like:

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

If you've got another engineering qualification, you could take a postgraduate course like a master's degree in manufacturing systems engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a higher or degree apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships include:

  • Food and Drink Engineer Level 5 Higher or Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Science Industry Process and Plant Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Manufacturing Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Space Systems Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Systems Engineer Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

More information

You can find more advice about careers in systems engineering from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Tomorrow's Engineers.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a manufacturing systems engineer, you'll help a factory produce goods on time, on budget and to a high quality. 

You could:

  • work with production managers to identify processes and create training guides
  • test systems and analyse data to work out the best production methods
  • propose ways to increase productivity and reduce costs
  • use computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software to build 3D models
  • estimate costs for equipment, time and labour
  • install new equipment and fix production problems

Working environment

You could work in a factory, in an office or in a laboratory.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could work in any branch of manufacturing, like:

  • vehicles
  • food and drink
  • pharmaceuticals
  • electronics

You could work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status.

As an incorporated engineer, you would specialise in the day-to-day management of engineering operations. 

As a chartered engineer, you would be more involved in planning, researching, developing new ideas and improving management methods.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £21,773.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known

Manufacturing Engineer (degree) Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,433.28 Annually
  • Location: Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

HNC IN MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

  • Provider: HARTLEPOOL COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 18 September 2023
  • Location: HARTLEPOOL

Manufacturing Engineering HNC Diploma

  • Provider: SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Smith's Wood
Find courses near you

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