Engineering is a vast field with many career options to choose from. One option is manufacturing engineering. Let’s take a look at what a manufacturing engineer does and answer common questions to see if this could be your dream job!

What does a manufacturing engineer do?

A manufacturing engineer spends their days working to create, build, test, troubleshoot and optimize machines and production lines. Most jobs will have you spending a lot of time on computers, but in some instances you may also be moving around a lot, working with heavy equipment. It’s all about productivity and being cost-effective!

If a company wants to build a new factory or create a new product, the manufacturing engineer will create the production process, determine the best equipment to get the new factory up and running, or create the product. When working with a tried-and-true product or facility, the engineer is more focused on improvements. Because the manufacturing industry is massive, these engineers could work on equipment  that makes textiles, automobiles, plastics, pharmaceuticals and more.

How can you become a manufacturing engineer?

If you think becoming a manufacturing engineer is right for you, you’ll first need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Possible manufacturing engineer degrees include:

• Automation engineering technology
• Manufacturing engineering technology
• Materials science and engineering
• Materials science engineering technology
• Mechanical engineering technology

While these programs will provide a strong foundation for your career as a manufacturing engineer, it’s important to think about your natural strengths. Are you a good creative problem solver? Are you a natural with computers and advanced technology? Does solving math equations come easily to you? These are just a few skills that will help you succeed in a manufacturing engineering program and on the job after you graduate.

Why should you work as a manufacturing engineer?

If you find satisfaction in watching things run efficiently, you’ll love working as a manufacturing engineer. Manufacturing engineers enjoy diverse day-to-day responsibilities. In one of these roles, you’ll also likely have good opportunities for advancement.  

Engineering pays well. The average base salary for a manufacturing engineer in 2026 is more than $80,000. Candidates for these jobs are highly sought after, with open positions being expected to grow 11% (much faster than average) by 2034. If you want to work in a field with ample job security, this is a great option.

Get a manufacturing engineer degree from the University of Northern Iowa

Are you set on becoming a manufacturing engineer? Start by pursuing one of our many manufacturing engineer degrees at the University of Northern Iowa. With small class sizes, hands-on experiences from day one and industry connections that lead to in-demand careers, UNI offers engineering done differently. There’s less theory so you can learn by actually doing.

If this sounds like the type of engineering program you’d like to enroll in, browse our engineering degree options at degrees.uni.edu/engineering.