Science & ResearchISCO 2141
Production engineer
Production engineers review and evaluate production performance, perform data analysis and identify under-performing production systems. They search for long or short term solutions, plan production enhancements and process optimizations.
Check yourself in a minute: production engineer
Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
lead process optimisation
adjust engineering designs
perform scientific research
use technical drawing software
optimise production
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (15)
production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.production engineeringproduction engineeringThe subfield of industrial engineering that corresponds to the practice of generating efficient products by transforming raw material into finite products.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.lead process optimisationlead process optimisationLead process optimisation using statistical data. Design experiments on the production line and functional process control models.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.optimise productionoptimise productionAnalyse and identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; formulate and plan alternatives.assess financial viabilityassess financial viabilityRevise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Asse...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.control productioncontrol productionPlan, coordinate, and direct all production activities to insure the goods are made on time, in correct order, of adequate quality and composition, starting from intake goods up to shipping.
Optional (21) — show
continuous improvement philosophiescontinuous improvement philosophiesUnderlying ideas of quality management systems. Implementation process of lean manufacturing, Kanban, Kaizen, Total Quality Management (TQM) and other continuous improvement systems.lean manufacturinglean manufacturingLean manufacturing is a methodology that focuses on minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity.adjust production scheduleadjust production scheduleAdjust work schedule in order to maintain permanent shift operation.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.manage human resourcesmanage human resourcesConduct employee recruitment, helping employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and competencies as well as providing feedback and performance appraisals. It includes m...schedule productionschedule productionSchedule the production aiming maximum profitability while still maintaining the company KPIs in cost, quality, service and innovation.control financial resourcescontrol financial resourcesMonitor and control budgets and financial resources providing capable stewardship in company management.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.identify training needsidentify training needsAnalyse the training problems and identify the training requirements of an organisation or individuals, so as to provide them with instruction tailored to their prior mastery, profile, means and probl...ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.integrate new products in manufacturingintegrate new products in manufacturingAssist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.advise on machinery malfunctionsadvise on machinery malfunctionsOffer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.execute feasibility study on hydrogenexecute feasibility study on hydrogenPerform the evaluation and assessment of the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Compare costs, technologies and available sources to produce, transport and store hydrogen. Take into account the e...ensure equipment maintenanceensure equipment maintenanceEnsure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or f...set production facilities standardsset production facilities standardsEnsure a high standard of safety and quality in facilities, systems, and workers' behaviour. Ensure adherence to procedures and audit standards. Ensure that machinery and appliances in the production ...control of expensescontrol of expensesMonitor and maintain effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.estimate duration of workestimate duration of workProduce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given pr...analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.develop product designdevelop product designConvert market requirements into product design and development.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a production engineer do?
Production engineers review and evaluate production performance, perform data analysis and identify under-performing production systems. They search for long or short term solutions, plan production enhancements and process optimizations.
What skills does a production engineer need?
A production engineer needs 15 essential skills, including production processes, engineering principles, manufacturing processes, technical drawings, production engineering.
Will AI replace production engineer jobs?
The AI disruption score for production engineer is 59/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: quality standards, ensure equipment availability, manage budgets. Most resilient: maintain relationship with suppliers, develop product design, continuous improvement philosophies.
AI Replacement Risk
59/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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