What do we do when we get up in the morning? We’ll turn on the coffee machine first. At lunchtime we put a ready-made meal in the microwave and in between we do a quick wash of the laundry in the machine. Only when one of these devices is defective do we notice how much they simplify our lives.
Who designed these devices? Production engineers are responsible for the entire manufacturing process for all of these products. They plan new factories, develop manufacturing systems, build tools, optimize work processes and control the end product. In order to be able to cope with these tasks, they not only have to have technical know-how , but also think economically and ecologically .
The production engineering course
According to mcat-test-centers, the production engineering course is part of the engineering sciences . There the production engineering is assigned to the sub-areas of mechanical engineering or process engineering. Some universities offer independent courses in production engineering.
It is also possible to specialize in production engineering within a mechanical engineering or process engineering degree. Due to the increased demand for production technicians , there is now also the opportunity to specialize in production technology in subjects such as electrical engineering or mechatronics .
If you want to study production engineering, you should definitely have a keen interest in natural sciences , mathematics , physics and technology. A good knowledge of English is also helpful for the course, as some of the specialist literature is only available in English.
Course content in the bachelor’s degree
In all courses of study, students first receive a comprehensive basic scientific and mathematical training . Also include computer science and technical subjects, such as mechatronics it. After the basic studies there is then the possibility of specialization.
Depending on the course and university, subjects such as factory planning, production control or construction technology are on the schedule. In addition, topics such as sustainability and the environment , marketing , business administration and corporate management are also dealt with.
Specialization in the master’s degree
A bachelor’s degree qualifies you to start your career, but if you are aiming for a career in science and research or a management position , you should also add a master’s degree. In this, the content from the bachelor’s degree is deepened and the students can focus on other areas , for example on certain work areas such as logistics or production or on certain technologies such as information technology .
Career prospects for production technicians
Almost all products are nowadays manufactured industrially. The job prospects for production technicians are correspondingly good. You can work in all industries – from the automotive industry to the food industry to the pharmaceutical industry . They are mostly employed in medium-sized and large companies. There they are used in all areas of production:
- Planning of new manufacturing processes
- Construction of new manufacturing facilities
- Planning of personnel deployment
- Supervision of production
Responsibility for quality assurance
Aside from industrial production, employment in engineering offices, professional associations or trade supervisory and occupational health and safety offices is also possible. Graduates take on activities in consulting or are responsible for checking work processes and products. It is also possible to work independently as a consultant . Master’s graduates also have the opportunity to pursue a career in science and research or to go into university research and teaching.
Study production technology globally
Many companies manufacture at least some of their products abroad . Production technicians are therefore expected to have foreign language skills and be able to work in international teams.
In order to be optimally prepared for these requirements, it makes sense to complete part or all of a degree abroad. You can build up a network of worldwide contacts at an early stage. The foreign language skills are improved and, by the way, flexibility and adaptability are increased – welcome additional qualifications for future employers.
