Career Options
General
Because of the emphasis on product quality, innovation, and rapid time to market, engineers play a critical role in the business world. Engineers utilize leadership, technical problem solving and project management skills to improve the design, manufacturing process and operation of products, equipment, and systems. Some Engineers work as part of an engineering team and others lead a team of technicians. Regardless, they analyze existing processes and systems, identifying improvements, and managing projects from idea to implementation. They tackle issues like continuous improvement, product quality, yield enhancement, reducing lead times, quality, risk mitigation, compliance, supplier reviews and qualification, new product development and potential product applications with a customer. To learn more about the Engineering Management career field, watch the video below where former junior military officers in various stages of an Engineering leadership career describe their experience.
Key Responsibilities and Required Skills
Technical Skills
Engineering positions typically require an engineering or technical education and aptitude. Companies recognize that some JMOs may not have used their full technical skills or knowledge since college so instead they look for aptitude and interest in working with technical systems or any technical-related work in the military.
Project Management
Engineering work is project based. This is one of the main reasons companies value JMOs with Engineering degrees. While some may lack the updated technical skills, JMOs with technical backgrounds bring a lot of project leadership experience. Engineers use communication, analytical, planning and coordination skills to manage technical projects.
Collaborative Leadership
Engineers work across an organization or even with customers. They need to be able to work well with, relate to, influence and motivate people who are peers, bosses and customers.
Problem Solving Skills
Engineers solve complex problems. They use structured problem-solving methodologies get to the root cause and implement lasting solutions.
Possible Job Titles
- Process Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Application Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- New Product Engineer
Sample Job Description
Engineering: Please keep in mind the following job descriptions are just three of many possible Engineering job descriptions.
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will work closely with production teams in a manufacturing plant to identify ways to optimize the process and equipment. Your mission is to improve production results (product quality, efficiency, yields, regulatory compliance, etc.) and to provide technical support and assistance to the production areas. You will get involved in troubleshooting production problems, developing corrective solutions, participating in process validation and acting as a liaison between manufacturing and other departments in the plant. While you will have the responsibility to identify process improvement initiatives, you will work with a broad range of plant groups for implementation including production, quality assurance, technical support, and engineering services. Engineers fill key positions that will have a lot of exposure within the company. This plant is highly automated using state-of-the-art equipment and systems. The plant’s internal structure is moving toward high-performance work teams, with fewer management layers and a more direct line of communication. They are ISO9000 certified which creates the need for state-of-the-art systems in the areas of quality, process validation and documentation.
As a Project Engineer, you will be responsible for diverse engineering responsibilities in support of several plants and facilities. You will coordinate numerous projects simultaneously and bring all phases of projects into one organized action. At times, you will be involved with and responsible for design, purchasing, construction, installation, vendor relations, start-up, debugging, operations and training. You also will provide technical assistance to plants in areas such as troubleshooting, design, procedures, safety and operations. Projects might range from implementing corporate-wide facilities (structural) improvement to correcting a particular plant’s quality problems. You will do a good deal of work with vendors and contractors; they will be implementing a lot of projects you handle (construction, maintenance, testing, etc.). Therefore, you will have to be able to organize and direct them, monitor and ensure compliance. This position requires excellent engineering skills, strong cross functional leadership skills and an ability to manage complex projects from start to finish. You will interact with all levels of management throughout the company’s plants.
As an Application Engineer, you will be a part of the corporate headquarters where you will work closely with marketing, R&D, and the Field Application Engineering groups. You will develop a thorough understanding of one of your company’s product groups, their application with customers and how they compare technically to the competition. You will provide technical engineering guidance to the Field Application Engineers on product specifications, customer training, and future product enhancements, as well as assist them with product performance issues and customer problems. You will work with R&D groups to define and develop the next generation of product architectures and features, keeping your company on the cutting edge of new product trends. You will get involved in developing alternative customer help and training mechanisms, prepare technical proposals for future products, establish relationships with industry experts, and represent your company on key technical and standardization committees. In this position, you will become an expert on your market, your company’s product offerings, and the technical application of your products in the customer environment.