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How to Become a Production Engineer: Australian Careers in Engineering

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What is a Production Engineer?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Production Engineer?

A Production Engineer plans and runs the design, build, and upkeep of plant equipment and machinery. They also manage manufacturing activities to keep production running safely and on time.

These engineers work across many industries. Manufacturing, mining, and technical services are the top employers (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Production Engineers are key wherever things are made or processed at scale.

Day to day, they write specs for manufacturing, pick materials and equipment, and design plant layouts. They set quality standards, check plant performance, and run maintenance schedules.

It is a career for people who enjoy a mix of hands-on work and project management. Future demand is rated as Strong by yourcareer.gov.au (2025). Most roles are full-time and permanent.

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Career snapshots For Production Engineers

Production Engineers in Australia are in strong demand, with future employment prospects rated as Strong (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Around 4,600 people work in this occupation nationally. Most roles are in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025).

The role is almost exclusively full-time. Around 91% of Production Engineers work full-time, averaging 43 hours per week (ABS Census, 2021). The median age in the field is 37. Average weekly earnings are approximately $2,151, which is around $112,000 a year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Pay rises with sector and experience. Mining roles reach up to $144,598 annually (SEEK, 2025).

What will I do?

Production Engineers run the technical and day-to-day side of manufacturing and industrial plants. They design systems, manage upkeep, and keep production on track.

  • Write manufacturing specs: work out the materials, equipment, piping, sizes, and plant layout for each process.
  • Manage project teams and deliveries: organise staff and coordinate delivery of materials, plant, and equipment to meet milestones.
  • Set quality and safety standards: write rules for setup, changes, quality checks, testing, and plant upkeep.
  • Inspect plant performance: run regular checks to make sure all equipment and systems work at full output.
  • Direct maintenance: oversee the upkeep of plant buildings and equipment, and plan new designs and service schedules.

What skills do I need?

A Production Engineer needs a solid base in engineering. This includes manufacturing processes, materials science, and quality control. These skills underpin every decision made on the plant floor.

Project management is just as important. Production Engineers oversee timelines, budgets, and teams, so the ability to plan and prioritise is essential. CAD software and data analysis tools help them design better systems. These tools also help them find ways to cut waste.

Strong communication and teamwork skills matter too. Production Engineers work closely with designers, technicians, and site managers to get things done. They must explain technical issues clearly and drive solutions across departments.

A commitment to safety and continuous learning rounds out the profile. As manufacturing technology evolves, engineers who keep up with new methods and tools stay ahead of the field.

Skills/attributes

  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes and systems
  • Understanding of engineering principles and standards
  • Project management and planning skills
  • Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software
  • Data analysis and process optimisation
  • Quality control and assurance
  • Strong problem-solving ability
  • Safety management and regulatory compliance
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
  • Attention to detail
  • Leadership and team management
  • Adaptability to new technologies and methods
  • Budget and resource management
  • Time management under pressure

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.