The engineering sub sector of manufacturing deals with problem solving and the design, configuration, operation and maintenance of equipment used in factories and other manufacturing environments.
Jobs in this area can range from CNC manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, industrial engineering, and operations management, but there are many more besides.
Most engineering jobs within manufacturing at entry level will require at least an NVQ or BTEC in manufacturing technologies or similar. For roles which have a higher banding than entry level, most employers and recruitment agencies will require candidates to hold a BSc or MSc in an engineering specialism relevant to manufacturing. Prior experience plays a large part in the recruitment processes for manufacturing companies, and while it doesn't trump education, it significantly improves a candidate’s chances of employment.
For those candidates who have the qualifications but very little experience in the industry, graduate schemes are used by employers to recruit newly qualified engineers for the long term. This can be a very beneficial method of recruitment for both employers and candidates, since staff employed through graduate schemes are often keen to be fast tracked to management, and tend to remain loyal to their employers.
Salaries range from around £25,000 p.a. to £45,000 p.a. dependent on experience and the complexity of the job role.