Role
Is one who is proficient in designing, implementing and improving processes involved in the manufacture of aerospace and Defence weapon systems, including the assemblies and sub assemblies and components.
He should be an Engineer, in any of following disciplines: Mechanical, Aerospace Engineer, Electronics or Electrical Engineer.
He should be knowledgeable about Workflow of different assemblies and sub assemblies, both mechanical, electronics and electrical.
Students and prospective employees should note that the roles, responsibilities of a methods / project engineer depend on an organization.
In a small companies (factory), Plant In Charge can monitor all the projects (customer orders) by assigning each project to a specific or teams of individual engineers. These engineers design a workflow process for every order (project) and execute the order. This methodology best works for engineering companies which manufacture non interdisciplinary projects. Like, they manufacture only metal products, or plastics etc. In such companies the project engineers work to enhance the processes, equipment and methods.
In a company, typically large companies, where projects involve assemblies, sub assemblies, requiring an interdisciplinary expertise, like both mechanical and electronics a separate methods engineer may be required so that best utilization of resources of both mechanical and electronics section is achieved.
One reason I have combined both the jobs in one page is that many of the skills are transferable. Which means what you learn as a project engineer is valuable if you take up the role of a methods engineer.
Key Responsibilities:
- Creating process plans for the fabrication, assembly, and testing of aerospace and defence components and systems.
- Analyzing and evaluating existing production processes to identify areas for improvement.
- Taking up responsibility of monitoring and executing a project.
- Participating in Designing and implementing manufacturing solutions that meet aerospace industry standards and requirements.
- Collaborating with engineers and production personnel to ensure the smooth transition of new processes into production.
- Troubleshooting production problems and identifying corrective actions.
- Maintaining documentation of manufacturing processes and procedures.
- Staying up-to-date on the latest aerospace manufacturing technologies and techniques
- Prepare and maintain documentation
- Work with customers to define to design solutions for deeper understanding of product completion when they come in for periodic inspection
Companies a method / project Engineer can work for:
All manufacturing companies have openings for project managers / engineers. Companies which manufacture, fighter aircrafts such as Tejas, Rafale, helicopters Prachand, Apache, tanks like Arjun, Zorovar, Assault Rifles K 203, Missiles such as Prithvi, Agni and so on.
HAL [Tejas, Prachand]
Dassault [Rafale]
Boeing [Apache]
L & T [Zorovar]
BDL [Missiles]
Heavy Vehicles Factory [Arjun]
Note that there are several hundred tier 2, 3 companies which supply components, assemblies and sub assemblies, services to the above companies and several other OEM companies. Openings are periodically announced in all the companies
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering and experience in Operations Research
- Master’s Degree in a related field and 8+ years of prior relevant experience
Software Expertise:
There is no job today which does not need software expertise. In the domains of Aerospace and Defence management, methods engineer is concerned with creating preferred workflows and executing the projects. So, a software used by a methods Engineer includes recording of a new order (project), splitting of these projects into tasks, sequencing of these tasks, and as the project is executed record every completed task, compare with a standard, and evaluate the performance.
In other words, a workflow management software is a must for a methods engineer to record and monitor a project.
Here is a list:
Asana
Built on a work graph data model, which facilitates better working of teams on Projects, Asana comes with a host of features to compete with the best. Includes all standard features of workflow software. Can easily be customized to suit manufacturing companies both metal, and electronics.
Visit Website: Asana
Appian BPM Suite
Featured in the Gartner’s top list, Appian’s BPM suite is designed to help enterprises build internal tools and workflows within one workspace. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, pre-built templates, and integrations with a variety of other software applications.
Visit Website: Appian BPM Suite
AutomationAnywhere
AutomationAnywhere has a dedicated module for manufacturing. This is a robotic process automation (RPA) platform that can automate a wide variety of tasks, including data entry, customer service, and back-office processes.
Visit Website: AutomationAnywhere
Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate is a low-code process automation platform that is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of products. It can be used to automate tasks in a variety of Microsoft applications, as well as in third-party applications. Microsoft brings its deep expertise of software into this tool and scores high on user friendly features.
Visit Website: Microsoft Power Automate
IBM Business Automation Workflow
Widely used, very adaptable, with high number of implementations, IBM Business Automation Workflow is a BPM platform that offers a wide range of features, including process modeling, workflow automation, and performance management.
Visit Website: IBM Business Automation Workflow
Workato
Workato is a cloud-based BPM platform that can connect to a wide variety of applications, including cloud applications, on-premises applications, and social media applications. An ambitious tool which seeks to automate several diverse activities of an organization.
Visit Website: Workato
CMW Platform
CMW Platform is a BPM platform that is designed to be scalable and flexible. It can be used to automate a wide variety of processes, from simple to complex.
Visit Website: CMW Platform
Oracle BPM
Oracle BPM is a BPM platform that is part of the Oracle Fusion Middleware suite of products. It can be used to automate processes in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. Similar to the IBM tool, this tool is a heavy featured tool.
Visit Website: Oracle BPM
Kissflow
Kissflow is a BPM platform that is designed to be easy to use. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates, making it a good choice for businesses that are new to process management. A unique claim of this tool is that persona from different departments can use this tool.
Visit Website: Kissflow
Laserfiche
Laserfiche is a BPM platform that is designed to be secure and compliant. It is a good choice for businesses that deal with sensitive data. Has a separate module for manufacturing which makes it suitable for easier adoption.
Visit Website: Laserfiche
Nintex Workflow Automation
Nintex Workflow Automation is a BPM platform that is part of the Nintex suite of products. It can be used to automate processes in a variety of Microsoft applications, as well as in third-party applications. This software has customized interfaces for specific industries.
Visit Website: Nintex Workflow Automation
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a cloud-based project management and collaboration platform that can be used to manage simple and complex processes. Includes standard features such as tasks, scheduling, branching, and many more features, it is one most light weight, user friendly software out there.
Visit Website: Smartsheet
Certification Courses
There are several online certification programs being offered on BPM / Workflow management.
Choose them wisely suitable to your needs.
Note:
It is important to remember that workflow management and automation is highly specific to each industry and individual company also.
It will be a smart move to learn what is commonly applicable to all industries, and then learn on the job. In this context, it is advisable to undergo short term courses.
Unique features of the Job
- Highly transferable skills
- Engineers gain End to end knowledge of processes
- Engineers understand and get to know to overcome hurdles of project (order) execution
- Engineers gain experience in Customer Management
- Engineers learn Optimizing production resources
Common Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is it necessary for a methods / project engineer to have a technological understanding of the project and the tasks?
- What is the recommended education qualification and how to acquire the same?
- What are points of entry into a company for this job?
- Are consultant roles available for this job?
Post your questions below, we will be glad to answer them.