Manufacturing systems engineer: Career development

Career development largely depends on the size, type and activity of your employer. For example, the company may wish to expand, increase its productivity or change/increase the range of products it manufactures. Working for a multinational company may lead to opportunities on overseas contracts.

Typically, as your career progresses, you will be expected to take on a more active role in the non-technical aspects of the job. For example, you could be negotiating prices of materials and working with plant and senior managers to improve the manufacturing efficiency. There are also opportunities to get involved in training, supervising and assessing the work of trainee systems engineers and engineering technicians. You are likely to take part in training courses designed to improve your people and team-building skills.

Opportunities to progress into engineering or manufacturing management or into general management, marketing or sales are normally available. It may also be possible to become a partner in an engineering firm or become self-employed as a consultant.

Gaining chartered status (CEng) is a significant help in career progression. It involves a period of professional development, which typically takes around four years to complete. It will then be proof that you have met a UK and international standard of experience and knowledge in the engineering profession.

There are some opportunities to work as a lecturer and undertake academic research in a higher education institution for those with experience.