A manufacturing engineer is a linchpin in production engineering and vital to achieving smooth manufacturing processes. Overall, manufacturing engineers ensure the efficient and effective manufacturing operation, from designing and optimizing production processes to managing production schedules and resources and ensuring that the products meet the desired quality standards.
 

Manufacturing engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and improving the manufacturing processes used in a production facility. This involves analyzing the existing processes and identifying areas for improvement, such as reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and improving quality.

They also work to identify and solve production issues, such as defects in products, equipment failures, and production delays. They use problem-solving skills and analytical tools to diagnose problems and implement solutions that prevent these issues from recurring.


Manufacturing engineers are charged with overseeing the production systems used in a facility, including the machinery, equipment, and software. They must also safeguard that the products manufactured meet the required quality standards. To do that, they develop and implement quality control measures, such as statistical process controls, to monitor the production processes and ensure that the products meet the desired specifications.


Manufacturing engineers also manage labor, materials, and equipment, to ensure that the facility meets production goals and timelines. It is important for manufacturing engineers to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product design, supply chain, and quality control, to ensure that the production processes are aligned with the overall business objectives.


In production engineering, the manufacturing engineers must also research automation techniques to maximize production line efficiency and plan factory layouts that optimize how products are made across entire facilities or warehouses.


As the name of the profession suggests, manufacturing engineers typically work in manufacturing plants or at production sites. They can support manufacturing in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical devices, food processing, chemicals, and more. A fast-growing segment of manufacturing engineering is that of additive manufacturing where 3D printing is used to construct three-dimensional objects from computer-aided design (CAD) models or 3D models.

Apply now for a job as a Manufacturing engineer! 

Cost Engineer / Senior Cost Engineer

Location: Brisbane

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: Controlling

Experience: 3 years

To work with the Cost Lead and Lead Cost Engineer on the consolidation of the Feasex, Expex, Capex portfolio costs for Upstream and Midstream Maintain and update cost databases and assist in the collection of relevant data Coordination of the Change Management process including maintenance of trend register Continuous improvement of processes Preparation of monthly Joint Venture billings Collation of material for management presentations and meetings Assist in producing the cost reports to be issued to the Group Perform Project Services for one or more projects that have a strategic impact on a single functional or organisational discipline Deploy advanced techniques to solve multiple related project services issues Coordinate activities within own area of expertise Some exposure to interaction with business leadership Work within boundaries of the Company's overall Project Services policies and general agreements Has some autonomy in adjusting objectives, policies and plans independently

Instrument Control Engineer

Location: Kwinana

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Production & Manufacturing

Experience: 4 years

Design and enhance engineering solutions to optimise plant performance, reduce delays, and lower lifecycle costs of process control systems. Develop and improve process control strategies including PID tuning and alarm rationalisation. Maintain and configure PLCs, SCADA systems (AB Studio 5000, FTView SE), and field instrumentation. Commission and support VSDs, DOLs, network switches, and other control assets. Conduct software updates, firmware patches, documentation, and reporting as part of continuous improvement. Predict and analyse maintenance needs and lead failure investigations. Contribute to risk assessments and mitigation planning using enterprise frameworks. Support technician development in control and instrumentation areas.

Project Engineer - Subdivision's

Location: Darwin

Branche: Infrastructure

Expertise: HR & Recruiting

Experience: 2 years

Project Coordination: Assist in planning and execution of subdivision projects, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and timelines. Site Management: Oversee construction activities, ensuring quality, safety, and environmental compliance. Stakeholder Liaison: Work closely with contractors, consultants, councils, and utility providers to ensure smooth project progression. Technical Oversight: Monitor and review engineering designs, specifications, and construction methodologies. Compliance & Safety: Ensure all work meets local regulations, industry standards, and safety protocols. Reporting & Documentation: Maintain accurate project records, progress reports, and compliance documentation.

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Location: Perth

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Validation

Experience: 5 years

Lead all mechanical works across fixed plant construction and commissioning phases Oversee installation and mechanical completion of crushers, conveyors, mills, pumps, and other infrastructure Manage inspections, punchlisting, QA/QC, and system handover to operations Interface with construction, commissioning, operations, and vendor teams to resolve technical issues Ensure safety, compliance, and engineering standards are maintained at all stages of delivery Contribute to planning and support startup of mechanical systems

Process Safety Engineer

Location: Perth

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: HSEQ

Experience: 5 years

Identify, assess, and manage hazards with a particular focus on accident events with potential to impact personnel, e.g. multiple fatalities or process safety events. Leading and coaching the business in process safety management Regulatory management and engagement - lead and coaching Facilitation of workshops Provide advice, coaching and support on Safety in Design and Process Safety Management aspects to Woodside and Contractor operations/development/project Responsible for the definition, planning and coordination of process safety activities within nominated areas of responsibility Responsible for the delivery of the safety in design engineering aspects in accordance with agreed scopes of work Responsible for the meeting of standards, process and procedures for integrity management Responsible to ensure that discipline specific competency is current and skill development plan in place for key gaps Responsible for ensuring inherent safety principals are followed by engineers within nominated areas of responsibility, and that risks are ALARP Agree with Technical Authority the key technical risks and mitigations plans in place for their management Respond to technical queries from service recipients in the required timeframe Review contractor safety in design documentation on behalf of Woodside, including point accountability for squad check comment resolution in the required timeframe Promote and implement continuous improvement opportunities in line with Woodside health and safety policy, standards, procedures and guidelines Contribute to establishing and building internal capability, through development of people and incorporation of lessons learnt.

CSU Engineer

Location: Brisbane

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: Validation

Experience: 4 years

Act as senior site representative in the absence of the CSU Superintendent Prepare the relevant commissioning procedures & documentation support project specific Commissioning execution Schedule and track commissioning progress Ensure the application of appropriate standards particularly where they relate to commissioning Under supervision coordinate all aspects of the Upstream Project Commissioning Ensure commissioning interface with other project groups, in particular with Construction, Engineering, and Scheduling are maintained and effective Report commissioning progress to the Upstream Business Ensure a robust HSSE and Quality culture is undertaken on the project and on site in an appropriate professional manne Under supervision assist in the development and implementation of a Commissioning audit program pertinent to the entire Upstream Project Assist in ensuring Contractor compliance with the project Commissioning requirements, plans, procedures, and processes Under supervision liaise with the Production Operations Group to ensure that at facility Start-Up there is a smooth transition of responsibility from to Operations. Provide Commissioning input into all aspects of the various sub project schedules and the integrated project schedule Provide input into facility design promoting safe and efficient execution of pre-commissioning and commissioning activities Observe and monitor contracting staff working on or near process Plant, Gas Field Well Sites and/or pipelines from Well Sites. Support all CSU disciplines by advice and recommendations on improvements in production and planned maintenance. Input to design change implementation. Participation in HAZOP and documentation reviews. Provide assistance in major maintenance works such as shutdowns, well intervention, and other green and brownfield works. Develop, Verify, Authorise & Issue permits within Scope Develop, Verify, Authorise Isolations within Scope Support mechanical technicians to ensure training skill development within the CSU team is compliant with QGC/Shell standards. Work with the CSU Superintendent to align team performance goals and expectations

Project Engineer

Location: Melville

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Controlling

Experience: 4 years

As the project enters its Basic Engineering and Option Analysis phase (FEL 2) in mid-2025, you'll play a pivotal role in design coordination, project planning, and stakeholder alignment - all within a high-performing, collaborative project team. Support FEL 2 activities, including basic engineering and option analysis Coordinate infrastructure design inputs across multidisciplinary teams Assist in developing and managing project scopes and schedules Ensure alignment with engineering standards and project governance frameworks Facilitate effective communication and coordination among project stakeholders

FPSO Senior Process Engineer

Location: Perth

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: Validation

Experience: 5 years

Act as the process engineering focal point for the FPSO Provide frontline technical support for operational issues Conduct process surveillance and risk assessments (e.g. HAZOPs, LOPAs) Support shutdown planning, maintenance prioritisation, and procedure reviews Identify opportunities for system optimisation and performance improvement Liaise with vendors, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams Mentor and support less experienced engineers

Planning MICE Engineer

Location: Perth

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: HSEQ

Experience: 4 years

Use technical judgment & experience, to select appropriate Inspection and Fabric Maintenance work for maintenance campaigns Deliver engineering support for planned maintenance activities, including MOCs and STC workpacks Assist with Capex projects and PSRA remediation activities Actively participate in optimizing maintenance strategies based on the evolving ARP Respond promptly to engineering queries for recurring and corrective workflows Screen Maintenance Notifications per Section 4 of W1000SG9678976 Manage Maintenance Workflow (when delegated by scope owner) Manage MICE related Safety & Environmental Critical Elements per WM1040PF9809289, specifically sections 3.2 (Manage Enterprise Assets), 3.3 (Plan, Schedule), and 3.5 (Measure, Analyze, Improve) Report or assist with incident investigations per HSE Event Reporting, Investigating and Learning Procedure, WM0000PG9905421 Evaluate feedback from site-based Execution Engineering Team and identify improvement opportunities Provide backfill support for KGP Execution Engineering Teams regarding MICE engineering coverage

Asset Development Engineer - Non Technical Risk

Location: Brisbane

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: Validation

Experience: 3 years

Coordinate the timely release of ATWs by managing inputs from Environment, Tenure, Cultural Heritage, Land Access, and other NTR functions Support progression of sanctioned and pre-sanctioned scopes through Upstream Delivery Process (UDP) Prioritise and influence a broad stakeholder group to meet project schedules and minimise risk Identify and mitigate constraints across technical, non-technical and constructability considerations Support the development of Project Change Requests (PCRs) and post-ATW execution requirements Facilitate interface alignment across Survey, Engineering, Land Access, Geomatics, and Operations

Project Engineer - NPI

Location: Melville

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Controlling

Experience: 4 years

As Project Engineer, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and external contractors to support the delivery of various NPI projects across Western Australia. With a focus on execution planning, design coordination, and cost/schedule development, you will help shape the next phase of facility improvements that directly impact site conditions and workforce wellbeing. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer with a background in infrastructure, building fit-outs, or architectural upgrades within the mining or heavy industry sectors. Collaborate with design consultants to ensure alignment with engineering standards and operational requirements Develop project scopes, schedules, and cost estimates for upcoming works Support contractor coordination for audits, assessments, and on-site activities Contribute to procurement and construction planning during FEL2 Maintain accurate documentation, monitor project risks, and assist in internal approvals

Senior Completions Engineer

Location: Perth

Branche: Conventional Energy

Expertise: Validation

Experience: 5 years

Deliver assurance support across multiple well scopes Contribute to completion engineering design and execution plans Coordinate with subsurface, subsea and facility teams to drive integrated well delivery Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team capability development

Common manufacturing engineer responsibilities 

A manufacturing engineer is responsible for performing a range of production engineering tasks. Responsibilities may include:

  • Designing and developing manufacturing processes to meet requirements;
  • Managing production flow, labor, and material costs for manufacturing;
  • Developing process flow diagrams to identify potential areas of improvement;
  • Establishing process standards for production operations;
  • Developing best practices for manufacturing operations;
  • Reporting on all production data and documentation for internal use;
  • Analyzing data and troubleshooting existing processes to identify areas of improvement;
  • Working with vendors to ensure timely delivery of materials and components for the manufacturing process;
  • Ensuring compliance with manufacturing safety regulations;
  • Providing technical support to diverse production process team members, from machine operators to product developers, among others;
  • Developing cost estimates for new production projects;
  • Implementing new technologies or ways of working to improve manufacturing efficiency;
  • Managing manufacturing team members and providing mentoring or training as needed.

Qualifications for manufacturing engineers 

Manufacturing engineers should possess at least a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Some employers may also require a Master's degree in Engineering. In some countries, a professional certification may be required.

Additional supporting skills and experience include:

  • 2-5+ years of experience in production or process engineering, quality control, or similar;
  • Strong foundation in mathematics and science, as well as knowledge of engineering principles, production processes, and quality control methods;
  • Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication and teamwork skills;
  • Proficiency in using diverse computer software, including the latest design, modeling, and calculation software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, NX, or similar;
  • Being up-to-date with advances in manufacturing technology and industry trends.