What does a manufacturing engineer do?

Manufacturing engineers design and optimise production processes, tooling, and quality systems to improve throughput, cost, and reliability.

What skills are needed for manufacturing engineering?

Core skills include CAD, process improvement (Lean, Six Sigma), statistical quality control, materials and machining knowledge, PLCs/automation basics, and problem solving.

What is the average salary for manufacturing engineers in the UK?

Early career roles often start around £28k–£35k; experienced engineers commonly earn £40k–£55k+, with leadership and specialist roles higher.

Manufacturing Engineering Careers (UK)

Evidence-led guide to UK manufacturing engineering careers: what the role involves, core skills, entry routes, authoritative resources, and live jobs.

What manufacturing engineers do

Manufacturing engineers design, stabilise, and improve production processes. Typical focus areas include takt time and throughput, quality and yield, tooling and fixtures, new product introduction (NPI), and collaboration with design, quality, and operations to launch and scale reliable manufacturing lines.

Process design and optimisation (layout, line balance, constraints, throughput)
NPI and DFMA (prototype to volume ramp, validation, process capability)
Quality engineering (PFMEA/DFMEA, SPC, root-cause/8D, control plans)
Tooling/fixtures, standard work, clear work instructions
Automation and assembly equipment collaboration (with controls/PLC specialists)

Core skills and tools

CAD and drawings (e.g. SolidWorks/Inventor/CATIA), GD&T, DFMA
Lean/CI (5S, kaizen, value stream mapping, waste elimination)
Statistical methods (SPC, capability, control charts) and measurement systems
Materials, machining, assembly and test fundamentals relevant to your product domain
Cross-functional problem solving; clear documentation and training material

Entry routes and qualifications (UK)

Degree routes in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Production, or related Engineering
Apprenticeships and HNC/HND pathways into manufacturing/production roles
Professional registration (EngTech/IEng/CEng) via UK engineering institutions

Authoritative guidance: the National Careers Service, Prospects, and the IET publish UK‑specific career routes and resources.

Salary and labour market data (how to find official figures)

Use official UK sources such as ONS ASHE for pay statistics and consult role profiles on NCS and Prospects. Search ONS ASHE for engineering occupations (e.g. production/process engineering) to view current tables and percentiles. Avoid relying on outdated or anonymous aggregates.

Interview preparation (referenced)

Focus on evidence: specific lines or cells you improved, measurable yield/throughput gains, defects reduced, and the tools you used (PFMEA, 8D, SPC, line balance). For current question sets and guidance, see Indeed Career Advice, Glassdoor Interview Questions, and IET Careers.