Manufacturing Engineering

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Turn your problem-solving skills into a high-demand career with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering. You’ll learn how to design and improve everything from materials and tools to full production and supply chain systems. It’s the only engineering field that covers the entire process of making products. At Bradley, you’ll build the in-demand technical skills to help industries work smarter, faster, and better.

Experiential Learning

State-of-the-Art Technology

Work with advanced hardware such as CNC machining centers, injection molding machines, coordinate measuring machines, and tensile testers
Gain expertise in industry-standard software, including AutoCAD, Creo, Mastercam, MATLAB, and Python

Industry-Sponsored Real-World Projects

Analyze production systems and propose efficiency improvements for companies like American Print On Demand and Matcor Industries
Senior Capstone Project – Tackle real engineering challenges with sponsors like Caterpillar, CNH, and Collins Aerospace

Industry Connections & Networking

Join professional organizations such as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and the American Society for Metals (ASM International)
Network with alumni from companies like Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Dynamic Manufacturing
Access job shadowing, plant tours, summer internships, and full-time employment opportunities

Program Details

Required Courses – 44 hrs.

IME 101: Introduction to Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (1 hr.)
IME 103: Computer Aided Graphics (2 hrs.)
IME 110: Introduction to Computers and Computational Analysis (3 hrs.)
IME 301: Engineering Economy I (3 hrs.)
IME 311: Intro to Engineering Statistical Methods (3 hrs.)
IME 331: Fundamentals of Materials Science (3 hrs.)
IME 333: Material Science Laboratory (2 hrs.)
IME 341: Introduction to Manufacturing Processes (3 hrs.)
IMT 362: Metrology and Instrumentation (3 hrs.)
IME 386: Industrial and Managerial Engineering (3 hrs.)
IME 395: Solid Modeling and Rapid Prototyping (3 hrs.)
IME 422: Manufacturing Quality Control (3 hrs.)
IME 431: Materials Engineering – (2 hrs.)
IME 441 Manufacturing Processes I or IME 443 Manufacturing Processes II (3 hrs.)
IME 445 Computer Aided Manufacturing Processes (3 hrs.)
IME 499: Senior Design Project (4 hrs.)

Elective Courses (choose four) – 12 hrs.

IME 325: Transport Phenomena (3 hrs.)
IME 385: Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain (3 hrs.)
IME 412: Design and Analysis of Experiments (3 hrs.)
IME 441: Manufacturing Processes I (3 hrs.) or IME 443: Manufacturing Processes II (3 hrs.)
IME 466: Facilities Planning (3 hrs.)
IME 481: Lean Production Systems (3 hrs.)
IME 495: Design for Manufacturability (3 hrs.)

Approved Technical Elective Courses (choose three) – 9 hrs.

Any 300-level or higher IME course not required in the program.
Any advisor-approved 300-level or higher IMT course.
Any civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering course (CE, EE, ME) numbered 300 or higher, or approved by advisor.
Any advisor-approved mathematics or science course not required in the program.
Any advisor-approved 300 or higher course from college of Business.

Total Hours – 123

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Manufacturing Engineering.

Program Educational Objectives

Within five years into their careers, the graduates from the Manufacturing Engineering Program at Bradley University will have successful careers based on

Demonstrated ability to recognize manufacturing business problems and implement effective solutions.
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead cross-functional teams in the design, implementation and improvement of processes and systems.
Demonstrated professional development through continuous learning opportunities such as varied work assignments, graduate education, or professional associations.
Demonstrated involvement in service activities that benefit the profession or the community.

Student Outcomes

In order to meet the program educational objectives, students graduating from Bradley’s manufacturing engineering program will attain the following outcomes.

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex manufacturing engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate technical concepts effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on multi-disciplinary teams whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct experiments, analyze, and interpret data related to manufacturing processes, materials evaluation, and manufacturing systems, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degree Concentrations

Shape your future your way. Explore our degree concentrations to personalize your education and focus on what inspires you.

The Lean Manufacturing concentration prepares you to lead the charge in continuous improvement. You’ll develop the skills to design and optimize manufacturing, production, and supply chain systems while eliminating waste, improving quality, and reducing costs.
In this concentration, you’ll also learn how to lead lean and Six Sigma teams, drive process improvements, and create real business impact—helping companies grow their market share and profitability.

The Process Engineering concentration gives you the tools to design efficient manufacturing systems and create high-quality products. You’ll build expertise in product design, materials selection, manufacturing processes, automation, and advanced manufacturing systems. Graduates with this concentration are in demand across industries like automotive, aerospace, and heavy equipment manufacturing—where they help companies innovate, streamline production, and deliver exceptional products.

Career Opportunities

As a manufacturing engineering graduate, you’ll step into a world of exciting, high-impact careers. Our graduates launch successful futures with leading companies like Caterpillar, Tesla, John Deere, and Boeing, where they work as manufacturing engineers, process engineers, quality engineers, lean engineers, and supply chain analysts.
You’ll find opportunities across industries such as automotive, aerospace, healthcare, consumer goods, electronics, and energy—and many graduates push the boundaries of innovation in areas like robotics, smart factories, AI-driven manufacturing, and sustainable design. With a degree in manufacturing engineering, you won’t just join the workforce—you’ll shape the future of it.

Minor

In today’s competitive industries, quality isn’t optional—it’s essential. Bradley’s Quality Engineering (QE) minor gives you the skills to improve products, streamline processes, and boost efficiency across a wide range of fields. Open to all students, this minor builds your expertise in analyzing, improving, and managing quality throughout every stage of production—from research and development to manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, and customer service.