| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Production |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Production Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 6 years in production or process engineering |
Production Engineer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Production Engineer
Department: Production
Reports to: Production Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Production Engineer is responsible for the output, quality and process performance of a line, cell or section. They troubleshoot process problems, improve cycle times and yields, support operators and supervisors on technical issues, and bring new products and changes onto the floor. A good production engineer solves each problem once, with a permanent fix, and leaves the section running better than they found it.
Key responsibilities
- Watch output, rejection and downtime of the assigned section every shift, and start action on deviations the same day.
- Troubleshoot process problems such as dimensional variation, poor finish, jams or low yield with maintenance and quality.
- Find root causes of recurring defects and breakdowns using 5 Why, fishbone diagrams and data from the line.
- Put in process improvements that cut cycle time, rejection or material consumption, and update the process documents.
- Support new product trials, pilot batches and engineering changes on the section, and train operators on the changes.
- Check that process parameters, work instructions and quality checks are followed on every shift.
- Plan consumables, tools and spares for the section and raise requisitions in time.
- Prepare production and loss reports for the section and present them in the daily production meeting.
- Take part in kaizen, TPM pillar activities and safety audits for the section.
- Guide diploma trainees and operators in process knowledge and problem solving.
Requirements
- BE or BTech in a core branch such as Mechanical, Production or Chemical
- Diploma holders with experience are considered for some sections
- Six Sigma Green Belt is an advantage
- 2 to 6 years in production or process engineering
KRAs and KPIs for a Production Engineer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Section output | Section output meeting the monthly plan, with a floor of 95 percent |
| Section rejection | Internal rejection for the section below the monthly target |
| Problem solving | Root cause and permanent action closed for the top three losses every month |
| Cycle time and yield | Improvements delivering the quarterly target cut in cycle time or material loss |
| Process compliance | No process parameter or work instruction violations found in audits |
| Trial support | New product trials on the section completed on the planned date |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: SAP PP, Excel and Minitab, Measuring instruments, Process parameter sheets, Kaizen and TPM boards.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Assistant Production Manager, Production Manager, Continuous Improvement Engineer
Interview questions for a Production Engineer
- Tell me about a recurring defect you removed for good. How did you prove it?
- How do you use a Pareto chart to decide what to work on?
- Output on your section fell sharply in the week new operators were inducted. What would you investigate?
- How do you make sure an improvement stays in place after you move on?
- What is your role during a new product trial?
- Describe a disagreement with maintenance over the cause of a breakdown.
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What does a production engineer do in a factory?
A production engineer looks after the output, quality and process performance of a line or section. They troubleshoot process problems, find root causes of defects and breakdowns, carry out improvements, support trials of new products and make sure operators follow process standards. They usually report to the production manager.
What is the difference between a production engineer and a production supervisor?
A production supervisor manages people and output through the shift: manpower, targets, discipline and reporting. A production engineer handles the technical side: process parameters, root causes, improvements and trials. In small plants one person may do both, but in larger plants one engineer supports several supervisors.
What is the career path for a production engineer?
Production engineers typically move to senior engineer, assistant production manager and then production manager. Others branch into quality, industrial engineering, continuous improvement or methods engineering. Owning a section and delivering measurable improvements speeds up promotion more than years of service do.