WHAT DOES A MANUFACTURING ENGINEER DO?

Published: Jun 30, 2025 - The Manufacturing Engineer drives process improvements by leading Kaizen initiatives, conducting time studies, and optimizing workstation designs to reduce waste and enhance production flow. This role involves defining and documenting labor standards, tooling, materials, and workflow requirements while supporting the implementation of new or revised products and managing engineering changes. Collaborating across functions, the engineer also ensures accurate documentation, maintains production standards, and upholds safety, quality, and training protocols in line with ethical standards.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Manufacturing Engineer

1. Manufacturing Engineer Key Accountabilities

  • Process Development: Perform process development
  • Documentation: Generate and maintain work instructions
  • Production Support: Support and maintain production processes
  • Defect Analysis: Evaluate product material and production defects, and work on corrective action with Quality
  • Material Handling: Address out-of-flow material and support the Production and Quality Manager
  • Continuous Improvement: Continuously improve processes, methods, equipment, tooling, and training
  • Equipment Optimization: Cooperate with Equipment Maintenance and various vendors to optimize equipment and maintain productivity
  • Training: Train production technicians in new processes and intermittently audit established processes
  • Tooling Design: Engage with the mechanical/tooling design team to implement production-improving devices
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Cooperate with Design and Test Engineering to ensure that accurate specifications are used for product assessment and validation
  • Process Improvement: Conduct process development and process improvement activities
  • Equipment Procurement: Justify, specify, and procure new equipment to support development and production programs
  • Lean Manufacturing: Implement Lean/5S manufacturing principles and techniques to maintain an environment of continuous improvement
  • WIP Tracking: Support and maintain WIP tracking methodologies
  • Equipment Maintenance: Support equipment engineering by guiding equipment operation and performing required periodic maintenance
  • Technician Supervision: Train and direct production technicians on existing and new products
  • Design Collaboration: Work closely with design engineers

2. Manufacturing Engineer General Responsibilities

  • Process Optimization: Conduct engineering efforts to optimize material flow, information flow, and process flow for manufacturing.
  • Tooling Design: Spearhead the designing and testing of tooling and fixtures for process optimization.
  • Line Design: Design layout and validation of production lines for one-by-one manufacturing.
  • Scalability Support: Support process optimization to create scalability within the Value Stream and the organization.
  • Capacity Measurement: Measure the capacity of the production line (Cycle time, TAKT time).
  • Root Cause Analysis: RCA (Root Cause Analysis) using 5 Y’s, Fishbone diagram, 6 M, and PDCA/DMAIC.
  • Personnel Training: Train production personnel.
  • Technical Documentation: Write internal technical reports and other production-related documentation - CAPA, RMAs, and NCAs.
  • Engineering Documentation: Properly document activities following best engineering practices, company procedures, and regulatory requirements.
  • Policy Compliance: Practice company safety, quality policies, and procedures actively and require conformance.

3. Manufacturing Engineer Role Purpose

  • Work Instruction Management: Create, train, and maintain work instructions and electro-mechanical manufacturing specifications
  • Efficiency Improvement: Identify and recommend methods for improving worker efficiency and reducing waste of materials and utilities
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Hands-on collaboration with Assemblers, Line Leads, Supervisors, and staff, cross-functionally, to train, solve day-to-day production challenges, facilitate the production process, and evaluate potential changes
  • Tool and Fixture Design: Design, implement, and integrate tools and fixtures for the custom fabrication and testing of custom battery solutions
  • Process Scaling: Compose and execute plans to build, integrate, train and qualify, and scale manufacturing processes
  • Communication: Effectively communicate ideas and results across the organization, with internal and external partners and customers
  • Customer Interface: Interface with multiple internal partners and customers to understand and prioritize current and future needs
  • Customer Collaboration: Interface with multiple internal partners and customers to understand and prioritize current and future
  • Production Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot real-time production problems to maintain on-time production and reduce defects
  • Technical Documentation: Apply technical knowledge to develop clear and standard work instructions, Job Travelers, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides
  • Company Values: Invest in the company values and vision, and champion them as the company grows

4. Manufacturing Engineer Essential Functions

  • Resource Scheduling: Schedule the human resources, tools, and equipment needed for the production process
  • FAT and Quality Resolution: Resolve FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and quality problems related to test methods, processes, tooling, and equipment
  • Equipment Testing: Test equipment, spare parts, maintenance, and calibration
  • Standardized Work: Drive standardized work, take charge of process SOP, production record, flow chart, and other production documents preparation
  • Operator Training: Train the production operator about the FAT commissioning, as well as cultivate and reinforce the troubleshooting skills
  • Productivity Improvement: Drive improved capacity and productivity by identifying manufacturing issues, developing advanced manufacturing cost-effective solutions
  • Project Support: Support other business projects

5. Manufacturing Engineer Additional Details

  • Laser Process Development: Develop custom laser processes to address a diverse range of applications
  • Laser Production Setup: Set up laser production processes and continually support operations during production runs
  • Process Monitoring: Continually monitor process performance and make adjustments
  • Kaizen Collaboration: Work in tandem with Quality and Continuous Improvement Engineers to determine Kaizen events around quality and efficiency
  • Operator Training: Train operators in the manufacturing of widely diverse products in various metals, polymers, and ceramics
  • Tooling Development: Develop custom tooling, from concept to guiding the mechanical designer, to coordinating machine shop implementation
  • GD&T Interpretation: Interpret appropriate geometric dimensioning and tolerancing for each product, complying with customer needs and adapting to manufacturing limitations, interacting with customers
  • Beam Delivery Operation: Adjust and operate the optical beam delivery system for precision laser machining
  • Laser Maintenance Support: Collaborate with the laser technician in the maintenance and troubleshooting of excimer and solid-state lasers
  • Application Innovation: Propose new applications of existing laser capabilities
  • Micromachining Advancement: Develop new capabilities in micromachining with technologies such as picosecond or femtosecond lasers, nanotechnology applications, etc.

6. Manufacturing Engineer Roles

  • EPS Writing: Write equipment procurement specifications (EPS)
  • Tool Sourcing: Source, install, and release production process tools
  • Equipment Customization: Design and implement customized equipment aligned with process needs
  • PMP Development: Develop preventive maintenance procedures (PMP) and instructions
  • Scale-up Support: Support manufacturing process scale-up activities
  • Equipment Troubleshooting: Respond to down tools and troubleshoot production equipment
  • Equipment Improvement: Initiate continuous improvement plans for existing equipment
  • Performance Analysis: Use equipment performance data to drive improvement projects
  • SPC Initiation: Initiate statistical process controls on applicable manufacturing equipment
  • Technical Communication: Effectively communicate and publish learning, experimental results, etc.

7. Manufacturing Engineer Tasks

  • Process Development: Develops and implements robust, cost-effective manufacturing processes, and improves product flow and product quality, and safety performance for both sustained and new products
  • Design Transfer: Leads the design transfer of new products to production, including establishing assembly time and yield targets, training needs, and quality control
  • Tooling Implementation: Develops, tests, and implements tools, fixtures, and equipment required for manufacturing processes
  • Process Documentation: Develops manufacturing process instructions, inspection plans, and lot history travelers
  • Validation Management: Leads creation of manufacturing process validation plans, validation protocols, and reports, and implements manufacturing process validations and test method validations
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborates with cross-functional teams during development phases, and provides inputs and recommendations for design for manufacturability (DFM)
  • Risk Management: Develops and maintains process risk documentation (e.g., PFMEA) to identify potential risks, and implements preventive and corrective actions
  • Equipment Maintenance: Manages and/or supports production and test equipment maintenance, qualification, and calibration
  • Cost and Quality Analysis: Performs analysis for cost reduction, quality, and efficiency improvement
  • Change Implementation: Prepares engineering change orders and coordinates the implementation of changes, including training production staff
  • Defect Troubleshooting: Troubleshoots designs and processes when defects occur, leads investigation to determine root cause, and implements effective containment and countermeasures
  • Non-conformance Handling: Dispositions non-conforming products and develops required re-work procedures
  • Customer Communication: Communicates with customers regarding process improvements and production changes

8. Manufacturing Engineer Details and Accountabilities

  • Prototype Tooling: Work closely with the materials team to create prototype jigs, fixtures for quick experiments
  • Injection Molding Design: Create injection molding tooling (3D CAD and drawings) for prototyping and production
  • Tooling Specifications: Create quality specifications for tooling
  • Supplier Interface: Interface with tooling suppliers and machine shops globally
  • Parameter Optimization: Iterate on injection molding parameters with the materials team
  • Global Support: Provide troubleshooting and technical support to production sites globally

9. Manufacturing Engineer Overview

  • Documentation Management: Manage build documentation to ensure accuracy and traceability throughout the product lifecycle
  • ECO and BOM Management: Participate actively in Engineering Change Orders (ECO) processes, Bill of Materials (BOM) management, and process documentation development
  • Tooling Design: Design tooling and jigs, and source solutions aimed at improving production efficiency and operator ergonomics
  • DFM and NPI Activities: Engage in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, including production line setup and balancing
  • Process Compliance: Maintain active oversight of process documentation and ensure compliance through regular audits
  • Team Training: Conduct training sessions for production teams to enhance skills and ensure process consistency
  • ISO Compliance: Ensure all production activities strictly comply with ISO 9001 quality management standards
  • Specification Development: Collaborate in the development of specifications for parts, including suitable substitutions and material alternatives

10. Manufacturing Engineer Job Description

  • Change Management: Act as a change agent to fundamentally challenge current state conditions and processes
  • Workstation Design: Define workspace requirements and workstation designs that minimize space requirements and reduce non-value-added activity
  • Labor Standards Documentation: Determine and document labor content/labor standards, operational sequence, staffing, number of workstations, tooling/fixture/equipment requirements, material requirements by workstation, and material presentation
  • Workflow Analysis: Perform time studies and workflow analyses, determine takt time, and balance the work content to ensure efficient flow of product
  • Kaizen Leadership: Lead Kaizen teams and employee involvement efforts
  • Production Support: Actively support production supervision in the attainment of Key Performance metrics and improving the production control system, standard operating procedures, safety, quality control, and operator training
  • Process Development: Perform research, design, and development of manufacturing processes, including production flow, assembly methods, production equipment, and material presentation
  • Product Launch Coordination: Coordinate the manufacturing launch of new/revised products, including establishing goals, training operators, and evaluating results
  • ECN Management: Effectively manage the Engineering Change Notice Process in assigned areas or products
  • BOM and Routing Maintenance: Maintain current and accurate BOMs and routings
  • Tooling and Equipment Installation: Specify, install, and verify production tooling, machinery, and equipment
  • Cross-functional Representation: Represent manufacturing on cross-functional teams (e.g., NPD) and is responsible for the timely execution of manufacturing project plans
  • Layout Planning: Prepare and maintain detailed layouts of production areas, buildings, and equipment
  • Ethical Compliance: Perform all job duties following the Scotsman’s Code of Ethics to ensure the highest ethical dealings with employees, management, and vendors
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