Advanced Manufacturing
What is Advanced Manufacturing?
Advanced manufacturing is the use of innovative technologies to create existing products and the creation of new products. Advanced manufacturing can include production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking. High-tech manufacturing is growing at a rapid pace, especially in the areas of 3-D printing, and high-speed, and computerized numerical control machining. (Source)
$151.5b
Global Market Size
(2023)
(2023)
$1.2b
VC funding into private Advanced Manufacturing start-ups
2.1m
Advanced Manufacturing workers needed by 2030
$86k
Average annual salary of advanced manufacturing professionals
Advanced Manufacturing Pathways
Questions to Consider
- Do you enjoy working with your hands and your mind?
- Are you open to frequently learning about new technologies and willing to keep up with the latest innovations in the advanced manufacturing world?
- Could you see yourself at ease in the mechanical world and able to apply scientific and technical principles to manufacturing processes?
- Are you interested in figuring out how to apply the latest technologies to common manufacturing processes in an effort to make them safer and more efficient?
Top Advanced Manufacturing Careers
- Computer-aided design (CAD) Technician: CAD technicians often study industrial technology and technology management, using CAD software to design and manufacture products and organize and perform production runs. They develop expertise within the CAD software and can use it to manufacture a variety of products. (Source)
- Machinist: Machinists create metal parts, tools, components and instruments by using specialized and sophisticated computer-controlled machine tools, lasers or water jets. They follow blueprints and renderings from computer-aided design (CAD) and can produce one unique item or a batch of many quantities. (Source)
- Mechatronics Engineer: Mechatronics engineering technicians apply mechanical, electrical and computer engineering theories and principals to modify, develop and test machines and equipment used in various parts of the manufacturing process. (Source)
Top Advanced Manufacturing Companies
- AbbVie
- Formlabs
- Airbus
- General Motors, Co.
- Unilever
- Dassault Systemes
Related College Majors
- Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechatronics or Robotics
Next Frontier Industry Roadmap:
Advanced Manufacturing
Want to start a career in Advanced Manufacturing but don't know where to begin? Start here!
- Do your research
Make sure you're well-versed in the basics. What is advanced manufacturing? What's driving it? Who are the innovators? What types of advanced manufacturing jobs exist? What are the major advanced manufacturing companies? If you're interested in a specific company, be sure to learn about its culture and values. This can make a huge difference in your job search!
2. Hone your "soft" skills
- Critical thinking: Advanced manufacturing involves several disciplines and requires you to look at problem from multiple angles. As technology becomes more sophisticated, so must the processing and analysis of that data become.
- Attention to detail: Entry-level advanced manufacturing jobs are known to require a high attention to detail. Candidates for these positions need to be extremely methodical and organized and must stay focused even through tedious, repetitive tasks.
- Strong communication: Effective communication is vital to working in advanced manufacturing and maintaining safety in the workplace. Poor communication can cost manufacturers millions in lost deals, ruin business relationships, or result in employee injury. You should also be able to communicate to nontechnical audiences as well, as collaboration across departments is fairly common in this sector. (Source)
3. Learn the essentials
There are several types of advanced manufacturing certifications that can get your career started, but a college degree is commonly required to progress in your career if you don't already have extensive experience in the field. You should also:
- Have a high level of digital fluency: While not all manufacturing jobs will require extensive training in software development or IT, they will require expertise with digital technologies and digital systems. (Source)
- Have a background in coding/software development: there is a dire need for workers who can use CAD/CAM software, workers with experience creating and modifying CNC programs, and workers able to learn and operate sophisticated engineering software. (Source)
- Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD)
- Familiar with design-thinking: Because advanced manufacturing frees designers from a mass production mindset, allowing for higher degrees of customization and complex geometries, design thinking is a critical skill to develop. This freedom and flexibility mean that designers can conceptually think much differently when working in AM, offering more of an opportunity to design from a "blank slate." (Source)
4. Build your portfolio
There a several ways you can bolster your advanced manufacturing portfolio, such as attaining relevant certifications and industry-specific credentials, especially ones that align with your chosen career path. Be sure to also showcase your CAD skills and any projects you've created using a 3D printer, CNC machine, laser cutter, etc!
Also make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with your latest experiences and accomplishments and optimized using our Base 11 LinkedIn Optimization Guide.
Also make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with your latest experiences and accomplishments and optimized using our Base 11 LinkedIn Optimization Guide.
5. Gain hands-on experience
Search and apply for internships/co-ops in the specific industry you would like to work in, such as aerospace, biotech, cosmetics, etc. Base 11 is honored to partner with one of the largest advanced manufacturing companies in the world, Dassault Systemes, that offer several exciting opportunities for Base 11 members.
6. Engage your community
Cultivate your network with a Base 11 community of like-minded individuals that you can connect with today using the community feature built right into this platform! We have a thriving community of students, early-career adults, and professionals on our discussion forums who can share insights, give advice, and help you on your STEM journey.
A Day in the Life of a
Advanced Manufacturing Engineer
Coming Soon: experience what a day in the life of an advanced manufacturing professional is like!
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Additional Resources
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Exclusive opportunities including academic and professional internships as well as jobs from our Next Frontier Partners
Courses & Training
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Solve real-world problems posed by top companies in STEM and earn cash prizes as well as potential employment opportunities
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