What does a manufacturing engineer do?

I'm thinking about studying engineering in college and heard about manufacturing engineering. Can anyone explain what a manufacturing engineer does and if it's a field worth pursuing? What kind of companies hire them?

Manufacturing engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring, and maintaining manufacturing processes and workflows. They use their knowledge in various engineering disciplines to develop efficient, cost-effective systems that enhance product quality and improve production rates, while ensuring safety and sustainability.

In a manufacturing setting, these engineers may be involved in various tasks, including:

1. Designing new equipment, processes, procedures and systems

2. Purchasing and installing equipment

3. Improving existing operations, with respect to both productivity and safety

4. Ensuring products can be made reliably and will perform consistently in specified operating environments

5. Managing projects using engineering principles and techniques

6. Planning and designing new production lines.

Manufacturing engineering is a worthwhile field for several reasons. It offers a broad range of opportunities in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, food and drink, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and more. You might work for large corporations, small-to-medium enterprises, or even start-ups. Manufacturing engineering can be fulfilling as it combines creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on work. Plus, the skills you acquire can be applied in numerous other engineering fields, so it offers excellent career flexibility.

Overall, it's a challenging yet rewarding profession where you can bring tangible, real-world solutions to enhance productivity and product quality. If you have an interest in how things are made and a knack for problem-solving, then manufacturing engineering might be a good match for you.