£17,160 Average salary at age 20
£44,720 Average Salary
38 Average hours per week

Description

Production and process engineers advise on and direct technical aspects of production programmes to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This unit group incorporates: planning and quality control engineers who plan production schedules, work sequences, and manufacturing and processing procedures to ensure accuracy, quality and reliability; and chemical engineers who undertake research on commercial scale chemical processes and processed products, design and provide specifications and direct the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of chemical plants and control systems.

Main Tasks

  • Studies existing and alternative production methods, regarding work flow, plant layout, types of machinery and cost;
  • Recommends optimum equipment and layout and prepares drawings and specifications;
  • Devises and implements production control methods to monitor operational efficiency;
  • Investigates and eliminates potential hazards and bottlenecks in production;
  • Advises management on and ensures effective implementation of new production methods, techniques and equipment;
  • Liaises with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies;
  • Undertakes research and develops processes to achieve physical and/or chemical change for oil, pharmaceutical, synthetic, plastic, food and other products;
  • Designs, controls and constructs process plants to manufacture products.

Qualifications

Production and process engineers usually possess an accredited university degree. After qualifying, periods of appropriate training and experience are required before membership of a chartered engineering institution. Incorporated engineers possess an accredited university degree, BTEC/SQA award or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at Level 4. All routes are followed by periods of appropriate training and relevant experience.

What Production and process engineers studied in higher education

A text alternative for this canvas pie chart is provided in the data table below
What Production and process engineers studied in higher education
Occupation Percentage Value
(W2) Design studies1
(C1) Biology1
(H3) Mechanical engineering16
(F1) Chemistry3
(H4) Aerospace engineering2
(W3) Music1
(H8) Chemical, process & energy engineering50
(J5) Materials technology not otherwise specified1
(H1) General engineering5
(H2) Civil engineering2
(B8) Medical technology1
(H7) Production & manufacturing engineering4
(F3) Physics2
(N1) Business studies1
(N2) Management studies1
(H6) Electronic & electrical engineering4
(I1) Computer science1

UK Prospects

44400 Workforce Size
2.38% Predicted growth 2024 - 2027
5556 Predicted Replacement 2024 - 2027

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