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Manufacturing MEng Online & On Campus

Contact Manufacturing MEng Admissions

Image of Kathy Bishar
Kathy Bishar (Manufacturing)

Graduate Coordinator

Image of Judy Jin
Judy Jin

Program Director

Manufacturing at Michigan Statistics

#6

Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs

#2

by Industry Week (2017)

Top 10

engineering and business school on the same campus

19%

female, 13% underrepresented minorities, 31% international students

14:1

student-to-faculty ratio

4

cutting edge areas of excellence

  • Excellent career prospects. 85% of our graduates are employed within six months after graduation. The average salary of our graduates with a Manufacturing MEng is $79,700 with a range of $76,500-$85,000.

  • Flexibility in schedule and location. Students can choose to be either full time or part-time. Most classes are taught as a hybrid, so students can take courses on-campus, remote, or fully online each semester.

  • Multidisciplinary training and integrative thinking. Students acquire depth in advanced engineering knowledge and breadth in management skills to become visionary and effective manufacturing engineers.

  • Education by world-class researchers and industry leaders. Students take courses that are taught by world-renowned researchers in manufacturing and industry leaders who have made outstanding impacts in manufacturing.

  • Immersive practicum opportunities. Students get to practice their learnings through industry-relevant capstone projects with industry, research, and non-profit organizations, integrating across traditional engineering disciplines like mechanical, industrial, and material science engineering, as well as non-engineering disciplines like business, to create real-world solutions.

  • World-class resources and infrastructure. Students can benefit from resources like the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Fabrication Studio at the Duderstadt Center. In addition, the University hosts a wide range of research institutes and core facilities from which students can benefit.

  • student programming in CSE
    ONLINE BY DESIGN
    This degree is designed for online delivery, offering students the opportunity to pursue a high-quality graduate engineering education that is flexible and convenient. As an online student, you will have access to the same expert faculty, rigorous coursework, and breadth of resources as those studying on campus. You will also earn the same world-class Michigan Engineering degree.

What can you do with an MEng in Manufacturing Engineering?

An MEng degree in Manufacturing Engineering provides students with advanced knowledge in engineering and advanced manufacturing technologies, coupled with a breadth of knowledge in engineering management.

Students also get to perform capstone projects on industry-relevant problems. The acquired knowledge and skills through this degree open up employment opportunities and leadership roles for graduates in major industries like Mobility (Automotive and Transportation); Aerospace and Defense; Materials and Construction; Electronics; and Energy and Utilities, to name a few. Graduates can also attain leadership roles in Government, NGOs, and consulting.

Typical roles include: Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Assurance Engineer, Automation Engineer, SQE, Program Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, Sourcing Specialist, Operations Manager, Quality and Reliability Specialist, Manufacturing Data Analytics Specialist, Smart Factory Program Manager

Align your Interest

The Manufacturing Engineering degree program offers four concentration areas that students can specialize in to align with their interest:

Smart Manufacturing

Smart manufacturing involves the use of information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking technologies to improve or transform manufacturing. Students get to understand the framework of smart manufacturing systems from product design to facility planning, processes, systems, and quality control techniques. Key smart technologies that are reshaping manufacturing engineering, like data analytics, cloud computing, digital twins and automation, are highlighted along with their industrial applications.

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) describes a collection of manufacturing processes that build three-dimensional objects from computer-aided design models, usually by successively adding material layer by layer. Students get to learn about design, material selection, material processing, process monitoring and control, and sustainability aspects of additive manufacturing, as well as it’s current and emerging industrial applications.

Production Systems & Quality Engineering

A production system consists of the hardware (e.g., machines) and organizational behavior (a division of labor and information flow) that enable the manufacture of products. Quality engineering is concerned with the principles and practice of product and service quality assurance and control. Students get to learn what it takes to create and implement techniques and strategies to provide quality assurance for products and boost the productivity and efficiency of production systems.

Design for Manufacturability and Sustainability

Design for manufacturability is the general engineering practice of designing products in such a way that they are easy to manufacture. Sustainable design encompasses, among others, the design of physical objects to reduce negative environmental and health impact. Students learn sound principles and practices for the design and manufacture of products to minimize negative environmental and health impacts and enhance ease of manufacture. 

Courses Offered

Individualized plans of study will be developed by students in consultation with the program director. Click on the Bulletin link for a description of each course.

Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies Program (SUGS)

Current University of Michigan engineering students can complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in only five years with SUGS by taking some graduate-level classes during your undergraduate years, so you can save yourself one semester and complete a master’s with only two additional semesters. You are encouraged to apply to SUGS no later than junior year.

SJTU-JI Accelerated Master’s Degree Program (AMDP)

Students who receive an undergraduate BSE degree from the U-M – Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Joint Institute (SJTU-JI) can also pursue an Integrative Systems + Design Engineering master’s degree at U-M through the U-M-SJTU Accelerated Master’s Degree Program (AMDP).

Setting Ideas into Action

Make an impact by applying the knowledge and skills acquired through your MEng degree in the Manufacturing program to solve relevant problems in the industry, research, and non-profit organizations in our community.

Capstone Project

An important element of the program is a capstone project which offers students the opportunity to solve a real-world problem for strengthening their knowledge and integrative thinking capability. The culminating project can be completed individually or on a student team (up to three students), virtually or locally, and in close interaction with faculty and industry leaders.

Practice your passion through projects in:

  • Research in cutting-edge labs
  • Onsite work in top-ranked companies
  • Field-work with relevant non-profits

Graduate Student Involvement

Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC)

Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC)

Learn More — >

Professional Development

Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)

Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)

Learn More — >
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Learn More — >
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Learn More — >
National Society of Black Engineers group photo
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Learn More — >

Videos

Alumni Bios

Each of these alumni were once in your shoes, deciding on a master’s degree. Explore their educational path and how it set their life in motion.

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Alejandro Bargallo

MSE Program in Manufacturing, 2007

LATAM

Engineering Director

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Hallie Byles

MSE Manufacturing Engineering, 2019

General Mills

Manufacturing Engineering Associate

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Sean Ryan

MEng Manufacturing Engineering, 2016

Technical Project Specialist

Volkswagen Group of America

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Alejandro Bargallo

Tecnologico de Monterrey, BSE Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, 1994 

University of Michigan, MSE Program in Manufacturing, 2007

LATAM

Engineering Director

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Career Summary

I started my career as a draftsman for Sunbeam-Oster in Mexico City, while there I looked for a growth opportunity and became an Operations Supervisor managing  five assembly lines in three shifts with 120 operators. Later on I moved to Bayer de Mexico, still in Mexico City,  and swapped roles to become Electrical Maintenance & Metrology Lab Supervisor. Still in Bayer I was promoted to Maintenance Manager for their pharmaceutical plant .  This was my first career block as the organization did not have any further plans to keep me growing. At that point I started to look into pursuing a Master’s Degree, and I moved again to Delphi Automotive Systems in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.  I joined them at their Mexico Technical Center as a Manufacturing Engineer for their Saginaw Steering Division. While in Delphi I obtained my MEng Program in Manufacturing at the U-M. During my 10 years at Delphi I had different positions and traveled the world deploying manufacturing processes in Poland, Spain, China, Brazil, Mexico, US and France; none of this would have happen without my U-M MEng, as many of the projects I worked in while going to school were direct applications to my daily responsibilities. 

But Delphi filed for Chapter 11, so I moved to Johnson and Johnson (Cordis Division), still in Ciudad Juarez, as one of their Global Business Excellence Lean Experts. My MEng background helped me deploy a brand new cardiovascular catheter line from their R&D in San Jose, California, to a full production facility in Cashel, Ireland. After that project, I was offered an opportunity to move back to Mexico City and joined Philip Morris Mexico as their Engineering Manager for NA Cluster. There I was responsible for six  manufacturing sites and their product processing.  Under my leadership we consolidated several operations and improved productivity by more than 40%.

For a second time in my professional career I faced a career growth blockage.  I wanted more challenges and opportunities, so I moved to Henkel Mexicana in their Home & Laundry division as their LATAM Engineering Manager. They were undergoing a large investment to duplicate their detergent factories capacities and I had the luxury to lead those efforts successfully in Costa Rica and Mexico. As the project was being closed out, I accepted an offer from Generac Power Systems in Wisconsin, USA, inviting me to join them as the Engineering Director for LATAM at their Mexico facility.  

In my current position I am part of the global engineering strategy team, member of the board of directors for LATAM Business Unit, and responsible for product development and manufacturing support for the region. During these five years I have seen the company grow at a tremendous fast pace to even diversify into clean energy. It has been quite an adventure to reach this point, and I am convinced that my MEng at U-M has been a key asset in my continuous growth, which by the way is still ongoing. I have been lecturing at Tecnologico de Monterrey for the last five years as well, and since last year I started my own small consulting firm in partnership with my wife.

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

My MEng degree at U-M has provided me the opportunity to challenge decisions from higher ranks, based on facts, balance between technical and economical approaches, making sound business decisions while supporting innovation and brand growth. It has also given me the support to reach for further knowledge and research that have provided a solid ground for conversations and developments.

Advice to Students

As I was working, going to school, and being a parent at the same time, I did not have the luxury to spend a lot of time at the campus, events, communities, etc. It was very difficult for me not to have that experience so I would highly recommend that you do your best to take advantage of those activities as well, they will better balance your knowledge and overall experience, while strengthening your bond with your fellow students, teachers and University community. I missed that and I wish I could get it back.

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Hallie Byles

University of Michigan, BSE Material Science & Engineering, 2018

University of Michigan, MSE Manufacturing Engineering, 2019

General Mills

Manufacturing Engineering Associate

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Career Summary

I am in a rotational program within the plant where I will rotate through three roles, each focusing on further developing a particular skill set: process lead (technical), team lead (leadership), project engineer (project management). In college I was on multiple Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP) teams where I got to work cross-functionally with team members to solve a problem statement given to us by our corporate sponsor. Not only did I get to make new connections, but I also got to practice leadership and collaboration skills throughout the projects. I also did research for two years, which helped me gain experience in how to conduct experiments to deliver results, as well as how to be agile and pivot when needed. 

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

My Masters degree in Manufacturing Engineering has helped me stand out because I was able to take classes in business, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and other programs that I normally would not have even thought to pursue. To gain that cross functional knowledge and experience in one short year was invaluable and I still utilize what I learned to this day at the plant. It’s so important for engineers to have the capacity to be cross-functional and have strong communication skills.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

I appreciate how Michigan classes present many opportunities for students to work in teams and learn how to collaborate together. I also enjoyed the flexibility in class selections offered at Michigan, because I could easily take other classes I was interested in without affecting my required core classes. My biggest pieces of advice is to learn how to learn, maintain a work-life balance, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or work with others. I was on the cheer team and loved cheering on our university at the football and basketball games. 

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Sean Ryan

University of Michigan, BSE Mechanical Engineering, 2014

University of Michigan, MEng Manufacturing Engineering, 2016

Technical Project Specialist

Volkswagen Group of America

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Career Summary

Since graduating, I have worked in the R&D departments for Daimler and for Volkswagen. I started my career at Detroit Diesel, a subsidiary of Daimler, as an after-treatment controls engineer and was a member of the Daimler CAReer trainee program. Through the trainee program, I was able to experience work in different divisions and locations including as an electronics integration test engineer at Mercedes Benz R&D in Long Beach, California, and in project management at Daimler Trucks in Stuttgart, Germany. At Volkswagen, I have worked as a technical project manager in the R&D department specifically focused on lifecycle management. I am currently responsible for leading technical evaluations of model year improvements for the Atlas family of vehicles, which are produced at the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant.

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

My experience at the University of Michigan prepared me for these roles by exposing me to both basic engineering knowledge as well as specialized courses focused on design, manufacturing, and systems engineering. 

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

I enjoyed the holistic approach to the U-M ISD master’s degree. I enjoyed performing a deeper dive into the specifics of manufacturing, specifically through classes on design for six sigma and systems engineering. I also really enjoyed the breadth of the program and the ability to take classes focused outside of technical engineering, specifically an engineering entrepreneurship course and a leadership course through the business school.

Industries & Occupations

  • Technology
  • Materials and Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Government
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Electronics
  • Aerospace and Defense
  • Mobility (Automotive and Transportation)
  • Advanced Manufacturing Engineer
  • Manufacturing Assurance Engineer
  • Automation Engineer
  • Supplier Quality Engineer
  • Program Manager
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Sourcing Specialist
  • Operations Manager

Companies

  • PwC
  • 3M
  • GM
  • Snapchat
  • Boeing
  • Ford
  • Caterpillar
  • Maserati North America
  • Google
  • Steelcase
  • Medtronic
  • GE
  • Mercedes Benz
  • Tesla
  • Capital One

Salaries

On average, U-M graduates with a master’s degree in an engineering field can earn 15-25% more than those with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. 

Students with the ISD MEng degree in Manufacturing had a highly competitive salary range of $76,500 – 85,000 and an average of $79,700 in 2019.

Use the link below to research average salaries based on a U-M engineering master’s degree, experience level, and desired work location.