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17-2112.03 · Task explorer

Manufacturing Engineers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 24 tasks, including 23 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2017.

24 tasks shown

Core · Task 18181 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Troubleshoot new or existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes.

Core · Task 18177 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Investigate or resolve operational problems, such as material use variances or bottlenecks.

Core · Task 20960 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve manufacturing processes or products or to reduce costs, using knowledge of fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, or product design, materials and parts.

Core · Task 18167 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Apply continuous improvement methods, such as lean manufacturing, to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, or cost-effectiveness.

Core · Task 18183 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing.

Core · Task 20961 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Incorporate new manufacturing methods or processes to improve existing operations.

Core · Task 18180 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Review product designs for manufacturability or completeness.

Core · Task 20962 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Determine root causes of failures or recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods, using statistical procedures.

Core · Task 18182 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Prepare reports summarizing information or trends related to manufacturing performance.

Core · Task 18178 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Prepare documentation for new manufacturing processes or engineering procedures.

Core · Task 18168 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design layout of equipment or workspaces to achieve maximum efficiency.

Core · Task 18170 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Communicate manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, or other information to facilitate production processes.

Core · Task 18185 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff, or other engineers.

Core · Task 18172 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design, install, or troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.

Core · Task 18175 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate manufactured products according to specifications and quality standards.

Core · Task 18174 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Estimate costs, production times, or staffing requirements for new designs.

Core · Task 18186 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Train production personnel in new or existing methods.

Core · Task 20963 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design tests of finished products or process capabilities to establish standards or validate process requirements.

Core · Task 19649 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Analyze the financial impacts of sustainable manufacturing processes or sustainable product manufacturing.

Core · Task 19650 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Develop sustainable manufacturing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize raw material use, replace toxic materials with non-toxic materials, replace non-renewable materials with renewable materials, or reduce waste.

Core · Task 18179 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Purchase equipment, materials, or parts.

Core · Task 19651 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate current or proposed manufacturing processes or practices for environmental sustainability, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water pollution, energy use, or waste creation.

Core · Task 18184 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, participate in educational programs, attend meetings or workshops, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the manufacturing field.

Supplemental · Task 19652 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Redesign packaging for manufactured products to minimize raw material use or waste.

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  2. For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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