Certified Manufacturing Engineering (CME) is a professional certification issued by The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The objective of this professional certification is to help manufacturing engineers become more knowledgeable about the products and systems that they must design, test and maintain. A person wishing to become a certified engineer must pass an examination that covers product-system interactions. They are then tested on their familiarity and understanding of processes and design methods. CME also tests engineers on their ability to solve problems using technology. In addition, manufacturing engineers are evaluated on their leadership abilities and practical expertise.

Certified Manufacturing Engineering (CME) targeted at industrial engineers with more than eight years of working experience, the Certified Manufacturing Engineering Certification tests basic and in-depth knowledge on products and systems. This examination is based on the National Institute for Standards (NSS) Standard Reference Manual (SRM), which contain specifications for thousands of products, system elements and processes. Since products and systems cannot be expected to conform to every possible condition under any circumstance, NSS uses a set of quality guidelines to determine which testing should be performed to identify possible problems. By following these guidelines, industrial engineers will help ensure that products and systems are designed, manufactured and operated as best as possible under all circumstances.

In order to meet the definition of ‘manufacturing engineering’ or Certified Manufacturing Engineering, a person must understand that manufacturing is a complete process. It involves science, technology, mathematics and art. NSS uses different levels of analysis and testing in order to determine whether the manufacturing process is satisfactory to NSS standards. Once the manufacturing process meets the accepted NSS requirements, then manufacturing engineering certification is achieved.

In order to be able to apply for a Certified Manufacturing Engineering Certification, individuals need to have at least a high school diploma. However, individuals who already hold a certificate or training diploma in engineering are also encouraged to apply. Holding a certification does not automatically qualify you for a final examination. Individuals who successfully receive a CME certificate are required to take the final examination upon exiting the program, called the Final Examination Placement Test (FET). This test is conducted by the NSS and is comprised of two hundred and eighty multiple-choice questions.

During the FET, applicants will have to answer questions about every trade specific aspect of engineering. This includes aspects such as mechanical drafting, cost analysis, cost control, statistical analysis, and every trade-specific aspect that pertain to the manufacture of engineering products. The exam will test an applicant’s knowledge of manufacturing techniques and will utilize every trade reference that pertains to every trade specific aspect of engineering. The exam will include two hundred and twenty-five multiple-choice questions and will utilize a paper-based format.

Because certification exams and work experience both play a vital role in the licensing process, it is extremely important to do your research. The Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMA) exam was created by the Society for Quality Assurance Engineers (SQAE) in response to a need for increased manufacturing engineers nationwide. This group is dedicated to promoting quality in the manufacturing industry and has a strong commitment to qualifying every manufacturing engineer through proper education and on-the-job experience. Each test consists of a written examination and a field practice question. Both of these examinations must be passed before one is considered a “qualified candidate.”

Qualification in these fields requires continuous training over the life-time of one’s career. Many engineers enter the profession with sufficient educational background but lack on-the-job experience or work experience in the particular fields of interest to them. Licensed engineers who have earned their CME designation are able to select specific areas of specialization within the manufacturing process, including automation, production control, quality control, and many others. They are usually required to be employed in the manufacturing process for at least one year in order to hold the CMA designation. Automation engineering, on the other hand, involves computer science principles and the software programs that control manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing engineering certification is required for virtually every trade in the manufacturing environment. In order to obtain certification, an individual must undergo thorough instruction and experience in their specific area of focus. In order to qualify for the QAE designation, every candidate must first work for two years in a post-secondary program at an accredited college or technical school that offers this type of certification. Once an individual has completed their studies, they can apply for QAE certification.