Learn more about engineering technology by joining your schools science clubs, attending science fairs, and volunteering for local organizations related to manufacturing engineering. Keep up with the news and developments in manufacturing engineering by reading industry publications such as the magazine Manufacturing Engineering (https://www.sme.org/manufacturing-engineering-magazine). Another helpful Web site is http://egfi-k12.org, which offers general information about careers in engineering, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about engineering. Conduct an informational interview with manufacturing engineering technologists to learn more about how they got started in their career. Ask your schools career services office for help with finding technologists interested in participating in interviews. A good way to explore the engineering technology field is by participating in professional associations like the Technology Student Association (https://tsaweb.org), which is a membership organization for middle and high school students who want to become engineers, scientists, and technologists.

Manufacturing engineering technologists work closely with engineers to develop, design, and integrate tools, machinery, equipment, or computer technologies to improve manufacturing processes. They monitor the processes to see where inefficiencies may be occurring and identify solutions to reduce losses, increase productivity speeds, and improve the quality of products and goods. They also ensure that manufacturing machinery and processes are operating in accordance with safety rules and regulations.

The daily tasks for manufacturing engineering technologists often feature developing and maintaining automated production equipment programs and verifying the weights, measurements, and calculations of production batches and recording the results. Other tasks that technologists are involved with include performing equipment maintenance on a routine basis and overseeing equipment performance. Technologists develop programs for production, inventory, and quality assurance, and they also review and create budgets for manufacturing costs. They may create schedules and budgets for production work and be involved in the purchase, installation, and transfer of machinery and equipment.

Manufacturing engineering technologists apply their knowledge of the practical applications of engineering science and technology to the design and production of various products and goods. They use different types of software programs to review and record data, monitor equipment, and manage projects. These software programs usually include computer-aided design software, such as Autodesk AutoCAD; computer-aided manufacturing software such as Cimatron Group GibbsCAM and Delcam; industrial control software like MASS Group FactoryLink SCADA HMI; enterprise resource planning software like SAP and Infor Industrial Essentials; and materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software like ABB CPM4Metals.