The manufacturing world is changing at an unprecedented rate- all the automation, robotics, lean processes, and AI are coming into view of how goods are constructed, created, and distributed. This expansion implies that businesses are publishing an onslaught of manufacturing engineer job adverts.
However, the sadder part is that most of those postings require the unreasonable. “10 or more years of experience, master of a variety of CAD systems, profound mastery of Six Sigma, etc. You read the description and wonders–how is one supposed to get this job who does not already have the job of course of 10 years?
This is the real thing: to get in to manufacturing engineering, you do not have to have experience of 10 or more years. Ideal wishlists (not entry requirements) are written by employers. You can fill that manufacturing engineer job far sooner than you believe with the right position, the right skills and the right strategy.
At Tekberry, we have watched 2-4 years of pure experience–and the right attitude–shine on more experienced candidates. This guide will show you how.
Why Are so Many Years of Experience Required in manufacturing engineer vacancies?
It is time to decipher the reasons why job descriptions are so bloated before we head into the strategies.
Risk Aversion – The managers in the hiring department are afraid of making a bad choice. They pad requirements so that they expect only proven candidates to apply.
Template Syndrome – template postings or generic templates are commonplace across the HR with the addition of unrealistic checklists.
Aspirational Hiring – When companies post the ideal employee description, they are confident that they will compromise.
That is, these “10+ years” requirements are not strict limits. They’re more of a wishlist. Employers will give way, if you add value.
Strategy 1: Reconstrual Your Current Experience
Most of the engineers who are still in the early stages of their career do not realize the value of their present job. You may have just been in the field a few years, but you have probably:
Bettered a process or shortened a cycle time.
Raised solved bottlenecks of production.
Worked cross-functionally with design or quality groups.
Applied CAD, PLCs or lean in practice.
Put this into the language of impact. And do not merely say, Assisted machine setups. Say, “Streamlined process of setting up, save 12% of downtime.
Managerial hiring personnel are not as concerned with your seat years but what you produced.
Strategy 2: Stack Fast Skills
Unless you have 10 years of experience, you must have leverage. Skills are that leverage. Currently, manufacturing engineers are in highest demand to work in the following positions:
- Green Belt / Black Belt certification (Lean Six Sigma).
- Computer-aided design (CAD) software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA)
- The Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
- Programming of robotics and automation.
- Statistical process control (SPC).
- Project management (Agile, PMP basics)
- The good news? These skills can be piled up fast. Certificates through online courses such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning are the ones that employers do accept.
Pro tip: Do not wait to gain experience, initiate side projects or simulations. Put them out there on GitHub or LinkedIn to demonstrate practice.
Strategy 3: Go after Growth-Focused Companies
Ten plus years do not preoccupy every company. Others desire hungry and flexible engineers that are capable of expanding along with them.
Look for:
Small or medium size manufacturers – They tend to be more receptive to possible over pedigree.
Rapidly changing industries (EVs, renewables, medtech) – These require new thinking, and not history.
Tekberry talent partners – Most of our clients are ready to invest in potential talent engineers who demonstrate motivation.
When you concentrate your applications in areas where growth conquers tenure you multiply your chances by a huge margin.
Strategy 4: Network Like It is Part of the Job
Applications that are done online via a portal are a black hole. Networking will put you in the first queue.
Ways to hack the system:
LinkedIn targeting – Reach out to plant managers, HR, and engineers in your dream companies. Post intelligently to their posts.
Professional organizations – Become a member of SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) or ASME. Show up to events.
Alumni networks – You have a better university network than you imagine. Leverage it.
Tekberry recruiters – When you work with us, you get the right to the concealed opportunities that are not even posted publicly.
When the manager has been told about you even by a reliable source, the 10+ years barrier is reduced to nothing.
Strategy 5: Turn Interviews into Business Cases
After getting the interview, do not answer questions. Demonstrate to them that you are able to resolve issues today.
Here’s how:
Investigate the bottlenecks in the company – Help yourself by researching press releases, industry articles or even Glassdoor reviews.
Write a little action plan – Sample: Your facility has scaled a new line, based on what I have read. This is the way I would approach optimizing throughput.
Be a solution, not an applicant.
Managers of hiring do not want to roll dice. When you can demonstrate that you are a thinker like a manufacturing engineer today, then years do not matter.
Strategy 6: Take advantage of Contract-to-Hire
A significant number of applicants ignore contract jobs due to their desire to have permanent. Big mistake. One of the quickest ways of overcoming bloated requirements is by contract employment.
Firms are less risky on contracts.
You are allowed an opportunity to show yourself on the floor.
Tekberry specializes in contract-to-hire placing engineers, which in many instances turn into permanent jobs within 6-12 months.
You want to pass through the door with your foot, but you are not there yet, this is your bypass.
Strategy 7: Develop Your Personal Brand as an Engineer
In the modern job market your resume is not sufficient. You need visibility.
Here’s how to brand yourself:
- Share on LinkedIn the lean victories, process change, and industry wisdom.
- Post school or side project case studies.
- Get involved in the manufacturing communities on the internet.
- Showcase the certifications and projects on your profile.
When a recruiter is searching such words like manufacturing engineer vacancy, you need to be shown not as an applicant- but as a thought leader.
Real-Life Case: The Odds Beater
In one of the cases, one of our clients required 8-10 years of experience in a vacancy of manufacturing engineer in the EV industry at Tekberry. Our candidate? She had 3 years of experience in aerospace, and a Six Sigma Green Belt, which she picked up online.
Here’s what she did:
- Re-packaged her aerospace process improvements as being applicable to EV production.
- Presented a one-page company specific Thruput Optimization Plan.
- Accepted a 6-month contract position rather than waiting until there was a permanent one available.
Tekberry’s Advantage:
Let’s cut the fluff. It is difficult, though not impossible to land a manufacturing engineer vacancy without 10+ years. The winning candidates are the ones who:
- Sell results, not experience.
- Position the stacks.
- Network aggressively
- Be lenient on contracts.
Tekberry comes in there. We established rapport with the hiring managers who trust us to submit not only the most perfect-on-paper candidates, but the high-performing engineers who are willing to perform.
We are better than the alternative of throwing 200 cold applications into the wind. We will present your resume before decision-makers who believe in growth over time.
Final Thoughts
The manufacturing sector is changing. The companies cannot afford to wait until they find unicorns having 15 years experience with all CAD systems. They require astute, motivated engineers able to resolve issues today.
When you get out to target that manufacturing engineer job, it is time to quit eliminating yourself due to competition in terms of years. Begin creating leverage–in competencies, branding, relationships, and intelligent positioning.
Tekberry has assisted thousands of engineers to overcome the experience issue and get jobs that many would have never considered. You can be next.
Are you prepared to jump the 10+ year hurdle and secure the next job? Connect with Tekberry today.
