Production Operators work in a (non-chemical or non-biochemical) manufacturing environment to transform individual parts, sub-assemblies, and materials into distinct products (i.e. cars, phones, TVs, computers, cans, and machine tools) often on an assembly line. They oversee machinery, handle equipment setup, maintenance, and adjustments, monitor product standards, and enforce safety protocols.

Process Operators operate and monitor chemical or biochemical manufacturing processes, especially continuous flow ones on an industrial scale to turn raw materials such as milk, oil or natural gas (using heat, cold, pressure, or a chemical agent) into an end product (e.g. butter, beer, milk formula, drugs, vaccines, paint, etc.). These individuals play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of manufacturing or production processes.

How long does it take to go from making a job application to starting your first day at work in a pharmaceutical or medical device company? Of course, it varies from company to company and depends on the type of job you are applying for but the answer is commonly “much longer than expected”! Getting a job in this sector takes time and requires a significant amount of effort, preparation and waiting. The recruitment processes are generally multistep and rigorous with multiple checks and balances.

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2022 What is an Instrumentation Engineer? Instrumentation Engineers are responsible for planning, installing, monitoring and maintaining control systems and machinery within manufacturing environments. They typically work with control processes that use sensors to provide feedback. As a [...]

By: Claire Wilson and Donagh Fitzgerald. Last Updated: April 2022 What is a Biochemist? Biochemists are typically lab-based professionals who study and explore the chemical processes occurring within living things. They are employed across a wide range of industries and within academia. Many Biochemists are employed [...]

By: Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Microbiologist? A Microbiologist is a scientific professional who studies microorganisms. They play a key role in pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing by testing to monitor levels of microbial contamination at all stages of the manufacturing process. [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2022 Image: GSK What is a Facilities Engineer? Facilities Engineers work in a number of indoor environments including manufacturing facilities, power stations, hospitals, and offices. They can have an extremely broad remit covering the plant maintenance [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Documentation Specialist? A Documentation Specialist is an individual responsible for the writing, distribution, collection, storage, and maintenance of a company’s documentation. In highly regulated industries, these activities are a requirement for regulatory compliance. [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald BEng and Claire Wilson BSc. Last Updated: April 2024 Photo: Sandra Goettisheim, KIT What is a Manufacturing Engineer? Manufacturing Engineers design, implement and optimise (non-chemical or non-biochemical) manufacturing systems, particularly machining and assembly processes to turn individual parts, sub-assemblies, and raw materials [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2022 What is a Calibration Technician? A Calibration Technician is responsible for the calibration, routine inspection, testing, maintenance and repair of instruments, meters, gauges and other testing and measuring equipment. The goal of a Calibration Technician is [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Production Supervisor? A Production Supervisor is directly responsible for overseeing and organizing the equipment, staff, and processes on a production floor. They will oversee scheduling and routine production activities as well as acting [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald B.Prod Eng and Claire Wilson BSc. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Process Engineer? Process Engineers design, implement and optimise chemical and biochemical processes, especially continuous flow ones on an industrial scale to turn raw materials such as oil, natural gas or [...]

Process Technicians work in continuous flow or process manufacturing and operate equipment, monitor the machinery and document results. Process manufacturing transforms raw materials such as milk, oil or natural gas (using heat, cold, pressure, or a chemical or biochemical agent) into an end product (e.g. butter, beer, cheese, milk formula, drugs, cosmetics, gasoline, paint, etc.) on an industrial scale.

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Project Engineer? A Project Engineer manages technical or engineering projects. They work with stakeholders at all levels, with direct responsibility for budgeting, personnel and project planning and making sure the project is finished [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 Image: Solar Career Map What is a Quality Assurance Specialist? A Quality Assurance Specialist checks the implementation of the quality system and conducts quality assurance audits. He or she creates and implements well-defined standards, procedures [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Quality Control Analyst? A Quality Control (QC) Analyst checks or tests the product of a manufacturing process to make sure that it meets predefined quality or safety standards. The completion of this quality check [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Packaging Operator? A Packaging Operator is responsible for taking the finished product of a manufacturing process and ensuring that it is packaged in line with company and industry standards, making it ready for [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Maintenance Technician? A Maintenance Technician performs routine maintenance of equipment, machinery and manufacturing facilities and helps troubleshoot and repair any mechanical or electrical problems when they arise.  According to the BLS, the median [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 Image: Ingersoll Rand What is a Quality Engineer? Quality Engineers work to ensure the overall quality of manufactured products. They test processes, monitor quality standards, create documentation, devise quality tests and define the criteria a [...]

By: Claire Wilson and Donagh Fitzgerald. Last Updated: April 2024 What is a Laboratory Technician? A Laboratory Technician assists industry scientists with research, testing and conducting experiments. This can involve a number of different technical tasks which can vary greatly between roles. Their work is almost always [...]

By: Donagh Fitzgerald and Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2024 Image: Festo What is an Automation Engineer? An Automation Engineer uses technology to improve, streamline and automate manufacturing, electricity generation, warehouse distribution, mining and many other processes to reduce the need for human intervention and [...]