The Career Path of a Manufacturing Engineer
The manufacturing industry is a vast sector with a range of paths to explore. Therefore, when you enter the field, it’s understandable that you may be overwhelmed by the choice of which route to go down without knowing too much about what each one entails. Because of this, it’s crucial that you thoroughly research your chosen career path to avoid disappointment and regrets over your choice further down the line.
So, to help you out, we’re looking into the career path of a manufacturing engineer. We have detailed the best ways to kickstart your fruitful career as well as what to expect in terms of progression once you have gained the necessary experience in your chosen area. So, read on to learn more and understand how European Springs can assist you in reaching your career goals.
Why Should You Consider a Career as a Manufacturing Engineer?
As industry-leading spring manufacturers, we may be biased when we say that manufacturing is a fantastic career choice that you will no doubt find your feet in quickly. Here are a few reasons why:
- You will be helping close the skills gap. The manufacturing industry has faced a long list of difficulties, especially in recent years during the early effects of Brexit and, of course, the pandemic. This led to a significant skills gap, which you can help close when you join the workforce.
- Fascinating, ever-changing career. Due to the constant improvements and advancements of technology, you will find that your work changes drastically over the years as the industry becomes more and more digitised.
- Your work will always be needed. The world will always need manufacturing engineers, the brains behind the technology, product testers, mechanics, and more. As you become more skilled in your chosen area, your work will be even more appreciated and sought-after by employees.
- Competitive pay. Because of the skills and experience required to be a successful manufacturing engineer, you can expect a competitive salary from many employers in the industry.
How to Get Started as a Manufacturing Engineer
If you are considering a career as a manufacturing engineer, one of the best ways to get into the industry is through apprenticeships. This is because they provide you with a range of skills that help set you up for a successful working life. You will learn through a variety of disciplines, such as:
- Shadowing
- Supervised work
- Studying
- Assessments
Each area is designed to help you learn, gain valuable knowledge, and get hands-on experience practising what will become your profession after necessary evaluations from senior members of staff. What’s more is that as part of an engineering apprenticeship, you earn while you learn, allowing you to bring in a wage unlike other paths such as university or placements.
The Importance of Experience
Experience is incredibly valuable in almost all industries, but especially so within the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Even if you’re apprehensive about whether it’s right for you, you will regret it in years come when employees are askingwhen employees ask about your experience, and you have little to show. This is because much of the work completed within these fields requires highly technical skills and specialised knowledge that often takes years to obtain. If you’ve decided this is the path for you, then the best thing you can do is start now.
Choosing the Best Career Path for You
You have so much to choose from when selecting your area of expertise. An extensive list of job types is available, allowing you to pick something you enjoy and are good at. For example:
- Equipment designers
- Repairs and breakdown staff
- Equipment installation
- Efficiency researchers
- Production line workers
Although all under the umbrella of manufacturing engineers, each job role listed will have entirely different working days and require various skills. For example, our custom springs designers will need to work closely with our clients to discuss their needs and have a high knowledge of spring practices and technical design to produce the best results. This differs entirely from our repairs and breakdown staff, who will need strong practical skills and a high knowledge of our machinery to quickly tend to broken parts and get the production line up and running again.
Progression as a Manufacturing Engineer
Once you are comfortable with your chosen path, there will be plenty of progression opportunities. For example, you can specialise in a chosen area, focusing solely on one part of manufacturing and engineering, allowing you to develop your technical or practical skills where you work best.
Another route to progress to is training and mentoring. You can give back to the industry and assist young engineers in kickstarting their careers as apprentices, providing shadowing opportunities, delivering lectors and talks, and assessing their progress.
Finally, you could join the research and development side of manufacturing and engineering, helping the industry progress as a whole. This could include finding digitising opportunities, testing new production methods, and discovering ways to improve productivity, supply chain issues, and more.
How Can European Springs Help You Reach Your Career Goals?
Here at European Springs, we are dedicated to helping those starting their career as manufacturing engineers reach their goals. We have an incredible apprentice scheme and take on new starters every year, giving them a chance to earn while they learn and find their feet in the industry.
Many of our apprentices stay with us and progress in their careers, taking on full-time positions at European Springs and helping develop our company for the better.
We also have fantastic job opportunities for established engineers looking for a change in direction. Please get in touch today to discuss your options and join an industry that will look after you throughout your career.