Process engineer
Also known as: process technology engineering expert, processing engineer, process technology engineering adviser, process engineering adviser, process engineering expert, manufacturing systems engineer
About this occupation
Process engineers apply engineering concepts in order to improve all kinds of production and manufacturing processes in terms of efficiency and productivity. They evaluate the variables and constraints present in given processes and present engineering solutions to optimise them.
Essential skills and knowledge
- apply advanced manufacturing
- manufacturing processes
- use technical drawing software
- define technical requirements
- technical drawings
- analyse production processes for improvement
- troubleshoot
- project management
- manage engineering project
- engineering processes
- engineering principles
- interpret technical requirements
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Industrial Production Managers (O*NET 11-3051.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
- Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
- Review processing schedules or production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, or duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints.
- Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.
- Hire, train, evaluate, or discharge staff or resolve personnel grievances.
- Develop or implement production tracking or quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, or other operational reports to detect production problems.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Speaking, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$126,060 a year (2025), 246,250 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- General and Operations Managers
- Quality Control Systems Managers
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Supply Chain Managers
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Construction Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.