Manufacturing Engineer Professional Development - Essay Example

?Personal and Professional Development Introduction Manufacturing engineering deals with diverse aspects of manufacturing. Some of the most common practices in the field include equipment, processes, machines, and research and development. Working as a manufacturing engineer demands one to have a lot of knowledge in the above mentioned areas. The manufacturing engineer also needs to have adequate knowledge of how different manufacturing systems and facilities can be integrated to make products that are of good quality. Manufacturing engineers can work in a variety of companies especially so considering that the fundamental principles of manufacturing are applicable to almost all industries. The manufacturing engineer’s job encompasses planning, designing, setting up, modifying and monitoring of manufacturing processes according to Prospects (2011). They also engage in the maintenance of machines and equipment and scheduling of manufacturing operations in some cases. They normally liaises with other members of the organization such as those in the research and development department in ensuring that the company continues to operate as efficiently as possible in the process of producing quality products.. Levels of professional Qualifications for Manufacturing Engineer In order to become a manufacturing engineer in a company, one must get secondary and college or university education with a focus of related subjects such as physics, mathematics, technical drawing and statistics just to mention a few. At college and university levels, the manufacturing engineer will be trained on a wide range of subjects including design and analysis of processes that are applied in manufacturing, metrology, design for manufacturability, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, and instrumentation and controls engineering among others (Worcester Polytechnic Institute nd). The Engineering Council and its Role The Engineering Council is the United Kingdom’s authority that is charged with the task of registering professional technicians and engineers. The council also performs secondary tasks such as advising students, trained engineers, academic organizations and employers on the procedures and standards for registration. The body also regulates the professions of the engineering technician, incorporated engineer as well as the chartered engineer. Considering that the title “Engineer’ is legally protected in the UK, it is important for the professional engineer to be awarded a title by the Engineering Council that is otherwise protected. As a professional manufacturing engineer therefore, it is advantageous to voluntarily register with the Engineering Council so as to demonstrate high competence - such competence that can only be acquired by training, education and proper experience. These indeed are the basic requirements for one to be registered by the Engineering Council. In order to be registered by the Engineering Council, one has to sit and pass the organization’s examinations at each stage. The manufacturing engineer can sit for the levels 5, 6 and 7 to be registered as an Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) respectively. Some of the advantages of being registered by the Engineering Council include higher earning potential, better career prospects international recognition, high self esteem, and recognition of expertise. Engineering Technician (EngTech) The engineering technologist is an engineer who specializes in implementing the existing technologies that exist in the engineering field. In other words, the technologist is more oriented toward the application of engineering fundamentals as opposed to creating new knowledge in the field. They always work with other engineering professionals applying technical skills and engineering principles in their practice. The manufacturing engineering technologist can work in a wide range of industries, not limited to maintenance, manufacturing, processing and assembling companies. The technician is trained widely in mathematics and applied sciences, focus being on the principles of engineering. Information technology is also taught to technologists whoa re involved in maintenance, operation, management and computer systems. Training of the technologist primarily takes four years. In this regard, many graduates holding a bachelors degree in engineering can be technicians after completing a two year course. Incorporated Engineer (IEng) The Incorporated Engineer is charged with the responsibility of maintaining and managing applications of today’s and developing technology. The Incorporated Engineer may accomplish tasks related to designing development, manufacturing, operations and constriction. The core role of the incorporated engineer (IEng) is on one hand to ensure that the current technological status is maintained. On the other hand, the IEng facilitates further technological advancements at various levels. In terms of mandate in the larger engineering field, IEng performs management roles that include technical and commercial aspects of the firm (Scenta, 2008, p1). Besides the professionalism status that an incorporated engineer needs to have, technical ability and interpersonal skills must be demonstrated. A clean record of professional development is usually required for an engineer to qualify as an incorporated engineer. Academic accreditation with a good professional review is necessary for professional development that an engineer needs for this qualification. Leadership and management skills required of such a candidate are such as would enable the engineer to have a good understanding of the profession. Engineering conversance that a successful candidate ought to have should enable easy access to the best network of professionals and resources needed for the duties. The Chartered Engineer (CEng) Engineers qualify to be chartered engineers if they can effortlessly demonstrate their ability in offering extra skills in engineering innovation. New technologies are expected to be introduced into the field following some rare engineering input that chartered engineers have prowess in. they make input into design and development of innovations that assist engineering profession to solve pressing problems. They are required to go out of their academic qualification and deliver desired initiative in innovation and technology (Scenta, 2008, p1). The Chartered Engineer must hold a master’s degree in an engineering field or mathematics or science, and must have professional competence in their specified field. Foe one to gain this level of certification, one needs to have invested in between 8 and 12 years of training and professional practice. In terms of education one needs to have bachelors in engineering (at least three years’ training) together with a period of internship with a professional organization. This must be followed by a 4-year MEng training period before one goes through the process of professional review. Engineering Institutions and their Differences For an engineer to be allowed to start practicing in the field as a professional engineer, there are regulations that provide for membership to engineering institutions. In the UK, engineering institutions have been established, to facilitate coordination of the profession at the highest standard possible. The Engineering Council licenses all professional engineering professional institutions in order for the Engineering Council to instill professionalism in the field. Through the professional engineering institutions, registration is facilitated besides overseeing other quality monitoring procedures in the professional conduct. Technical assistance for the assessment and approval of individuals seeking registration with the Engineering Council is offered to by the Institutions. Having obtained a license from the Engineering Council, professional engineering institutions are allowed to perform other duties as mandated by the Council. On one hand, it is the mandate of the professional engineering institutions to ensure that the applicants meet the competence criteria expected by the Engineering Council. Besides, the institutions establish the level of commitment and reasons for motivation into the profession. On the other hand, it is the task of the engineering professional institutions to carry out supervision and progress of newly registered professionals. Alternatively, the registrants are monitored for general observance of regulations of the profession as its code of conduct expects. In order for the applicants to meet the above requirements, they can join one of the currently licensed engineering professional institutions. There are about 36 different authorized institutions in the UK that carry out the above mentioned roles. As a matter of fact, engineering is a wide field with specific scopes, depending on the training an engineer gets. It follows that various engineering professional institutions are formed on the basis of the various specializations that engineering students undertake. Applicants choose from the several institutions by ensuring that the most appropriate choice meets the specialization needs. Where more than one specialization fields seem to be similar, applicants can join more than one of them, to assist them meet their interests as much as possible. Some of the institutions differ in their mandate, squarely based on their specialization scope. Their roles however seem to complement the mandate of the Engineering Council, by ensuring observance of the fundamental regulations of the engineering professional as a whole. Examples of such engineering professional institutions include; British Computer Society (BCS), British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT), Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE), Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME) and The Institute of Diesel and Gas Turbine Engineers. As depicted in the names of the institutions, specialized scope may restrict application since some applicants only are appropriately served by the institutions. For instance, the Institution of Chemical Engineers is likely to limit applications to only engineers trained in chemical engineering, while Institute of Cast Metals Engineers would be limited to similar training in cast metals engineering. For a civil engineer, compatibility may necessitate registration with Institution of Civil Engineers as well as Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (Engineering Council, 2011, p1). Engineering Technician (Manufacturing) An engineer aspiring to achieve professional qualification should consider the requirements of the Engineering Council in terms of joining the appropriate institution and as well as registering for the relevant qualification. To ensure that the formal academic training demanded of a mechanical engineer is met, there are two possible routes that an applicant can embark on. The following section is a summary of the two possibilities that an engineer can choose from. Firstly, the most readily achievable route involves achieving the National Certificate in manufacturing engineering. The candidate could alternatively acquire National Manufacturing Engineering Diploma at an accredited learning institution for the relevant specialization. In case these two academic qualifications are not within the convenience of the candidate, there is a third qualification option provided by the diploma in Built Environment. This route also accepts qualification of candidates with relevant engineering course or even construction from the UK, with a minimum of level 6 under Scottish Qualifications and Credit Framework. In the same quest for registration, qualification in the City and Guilds Higher Professional Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering is also considered. Alternatively, qualified and certified level 3 NVQ as well as SVQ candidates are also admissible for the same. Through the second route, candidates who do not meet the above route’s specifications are admissible upon appraisal done by the engineering institution from which they are registered. Thorough evaluation is performed on the individual to ensure highest possible prowess in the field. Incorporated Manufacturing Engineer A minimum of a Bachelors degree in manufacturing engineering is demanded of the candidate. Alternatively, a candidate may be admitted if qualified in Bachelors degree for manufacturing technology. Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering is also acceptable. There are also a few diploma courses in engineering that are considered for the same. however, there are extra courses that must accompany the mentioned credentials. Chartered Manufacturing Engineer Bachelors degree in either engineering or technology accompanied with relevant masters accreditation are mandatory for CEng manufacturing engineers. The various masters qualifications may be considered if in line with engineering or technology. Conclusion Manufacturing engineering involves a lot of activities that are aimed at ensuring the efficient production of goods by an organization. There are three main professional qualifications that a manufacturing engineer can register in. As observed above, these are Manufacturing Engineering Technician, Incorporated Manufacturing Engineer and Chartered Manufacturing Engineer. Using the various routes of academic qualification available, candidates can find the appropriate or suitable options to suit the circumstances fitting them. References Engineering Council (2011) Professional Engineering Institutions [online] Available from: [accessed 27 February 2011] Prospects (2011) Manufacturing engineer: Job description and activities [online] [accessed 27 February 2011] Scenta (2008) Applying for Incorporated Engineer, [online] scenta.com. Available from: [accessed 27 February 2011] Worcester Polytechnic Institute (nd) Manufacturing Engineering Courses [online] [accessed 27 February 2011] Read More