Best job roles to gain experience so as to lead into a mfg engr level position

[u/Broad-Abroad5455]

As the title says, what would you say are the best job titles or field of work to gain experience that will prepare you and/or make you eligible for manufacturing engineering level roles? Is it something like an assembly technician level position, or should it go in a more specific field of work (what aligns best for a broad skill set that can be applied to most all mfg engr positions)?

I have several years of composites and some machining experience at the individual part level for aircraft as a manufacturing engineer, so was wondering if getting into say, an assembly level position caters more to what might be looked for in a candidate so they (I) gain more experience in the hardware involved, so as to better compliment skills to the work involved.

[u/der_innkeeper]

eligible for manufacturing engineering level roles

&

I have several years of [...] experience [...] as a manufacturing engineer,

Seems like you're good to go. Go apply.

[u/Broad-Abroad5455 → u/der_innkeeper]

I have been applying, caveat is I am about 8 years removed from the industry as I pursued some other opportunities in that time that have since added great project management and managerial experience, just not in the aerospace and space systems line of work. A lot of these aeeospace positions being rated as II or III level positions, I was just wondering if anyone has insight and experience to suggest otherwise what might help my chances to stand out more. Basically if I get overlooked, then would you say doing <insert role> for a year or two would increase your chances, for example.

[u/dhodges89 → u/Broad-Abroad5455]

Honestly, it sounds like you have a lot of great experience already. I wouldn't worry about the non-aerospace experience. I know plenty of people at Blue with no aerospace experience prior to Blue, but they had experience in other industries. In fact, I think the project management experience is a great addition to your candidacy that would set you apart. I recommend that you just keep applying.

[u/Broad-Abroad5455 → u/dhodges89]

Thank you for the feedback, it helps to hear that.

[u/knockoff_engineer → u/Broad-Abroad5455]

Why not apply to more of a project management position?

[u/TwinScrew20v]

I came to Blue as a Mechanisms Engineer (development work) after 10 years awayfrom Aerospace and my manager came in from a large industrial equipment background (no aeropace at all). At least half of Blue looks for the right skills andthinkinf more than experience in acertain field. Id say based on what youveshared, you should be applying now. Worst they say is no and typically if thats the case the hiring manager is willing to explain.

[u/Broad-Abroad5455 → u/TwinScrew20v]

I will just keep at it on resume send off. Good to hear my time away doesn't squash my chances. Finding work is stressful!

[u/knockoff_engineer]

Honestly I have known a couple of people without a Mechanical Engineering degree unable to get an engineering title at Blue even already working at the company with previous engineering experience. I'd say it doesn't hurt to apply for a manufacturing engineer job but I wouldn't get a technician job with the expectation of becoming a manufacturing engineer later.

[u/noname585]

Well for starters, you need an engineering degree so make sure you've got that or are at least in the process of getting it.

[u/Broad-Abroad5455 → u/noname585]

That could be the only other missing link. I got my associates and partial junior year under me but never completed my bachelor's in mechanical. That was about 12 years ago. At this point in my life I see it as 10+ years industry experience then plus some schooling, which acquired me with the mental tools and experience to do the mfg engr work. Just competitive in this market I feel like, so that was the reason for the post, to see how to further stand out. Sometimes thinking I have a solid resume but you get a couple dozen applications out the door with no chance for even a phone screen tells me I'm saturated around a hundred+ applicants. I keep at it regardless!