Production Engineer

Production or manufacturing engineers work with companies that make things - from food, drink and chemical products to clothing, cars, aircraft and printing equipment. They design, build and maintain all the systems in factories, including automated and computer-controlled machines. They develop production lines and systems for all kinds of manufacturing processes. These can include anything from filling cans or bottles to packaging medicines or assembling trucks or computers. Their work may involve investigating operational problems affecting production, improving existing operations, bringing in new methods and processes and training and managing staff.

Production engineers usually work 37 hours a week, but this could include weekend and evening work, particularly when a new production process is being installed and tested, or if the company works a shift system. They may work on the shop floor, at a desk with a computer or in meetings. Protective clothing may be required when visiting the shop floor.

Salaries range from about £23,000 a year to £50,000 or more.

A production engineer should:

• have a thorough understanding of the manufacturing process
• be good at analysing and solving problems
• have good communication skills
• understand the importance of health and safety.

There are engineering and manufacturing companies in most areas of the UK. They may be large multinational companies, but they also include many smaller firms, often producing high-value, technologically advanced products, in many cases supplying these as a service to major manufacturing companies.

It is possible to begin apprentice training for craft or technician-level jobs in production engineering straight from school, with three to five GCSEs (A*-C may be required). Ideally, these should include English, maths and science. GCSEs in engineering, manufacturing or design and technology could also be useful. A BTEC First Diploma in a relevant subject would be a good alternative.

The Diplomas in engineering, and manufacturing and product design may be relevant for this area of work.

Many production engineers are graduates. A Higher National Diploma (HND) with distinction or merit may be an alternative, although further training will be required. For a degree course in an engineering subject, applicants need at least two A levels, normally including maths and physics, and five GCSEs (A*-C), or equivalent qualifications, including Access courses and advanced Diplomas.

Apprentices follow a structured training scheme at work, with part-time study at a local college. For graduates training is mainly on the job, usually within a structured graduate training scheme. Many will go on to a postgraduate qualification such as the MEng.

Qualified production engineers can register with the Engineering Council (ECUK) as a professional engineer, either Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Some engineers move into sales, marketing, general management, training or consultancy.

Further details