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Antonio Santos, a first-year student majoring in product design and manufacturing engineering, looks at his robot, 'Mark."

Product Design and Manufacturing

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E)

Undergraduate Major

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 148 Credits

Product design and manufacturing engineering focuses on the processes used to develop products, from design and planning to production and delivery of finished products.

Overview

The product design and manufacturing engineering program at Grand Valley State University offers a comprehensive education that integrates academic studies with hands-on learning and professional experiences. Students are trained to design, plan, and produce desirable products for a globally competitive marketplace. The program emphasizes a "design and build" philosophy, ensuring that students gain practical experience through extensive laboratory and project activities, preparing them for successful careers in engineering.

You will study various courses that cover advanced product design, mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals, automation and controls, manufacturing processes, and materials science. The curriculum also includes cooperative education, where you will gain paid professional experience in recognized engineering companies, ensuring you are well-equipped to tackle complex engineering challenges before you graduate.

The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, ensuring a high standard of education. Students benefit from small, student-focused classes and strong support from industrial partners who fund scholarships and sponsor capstone design projects. With a nearly 100-percent placement rate into work or graduate school, Grand Valley provides an excellent environment for aspiring engineers to thrive.

Admission Information

Students with no previous college credit, or those who have not completed the 64-semester-hour engineering foundations course sequence, are pre-majors. Students who intend to pursue the B.S.E. degree are urged to declare an engineering major as soon as possible.

The School of Engineering admits students directly to major standing as freshmen. This honor is reserved for students who have both a 29 or higher composite score and a 32 or higher mathematics score on the ACT and a 3.6 or higher high school GPA.

Admission to major standing in the B.S.E. program requires a secondary application. Applicants must meet at least the following:

  • A GPA of 2.7 or above in the engineering foundations course sequence;
  • Completion of each course in the engineering foundations course sequence with a grade of C (2.0) or above with not more than one repeat in each foundation course; and
  • Completion of EGR 289 in preparation for placement in cooperative engineering education.

See catalog for details.

Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering

gvsu.edu/engineering
136 Kennedy Hall
(616) 331-6750

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Career Opportunities

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Mathematics
  • Science
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 66,870.97 10%
$ 81,736.82 25%
$102,683.71 50%
$128,968.55 75%
$141,689.94 90%

Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 66,870.97 10%
$ 81,736.82 25%
$102,683.71 50%
$128,968.55 75%
$141,689.94 90%

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 47,610.71 10%
$ 58,138.25 25%
$ 72,941.74 50%
$ 94,737.49 75%
$114,307.18 90%

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 47,852.11 10%
$ 62,634.39 25%
$ 84,433.90 50%
$102,379.74 75%
$118,749.80 90%

Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Monitoring
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 66,047.58 10%
$ 80,597.99 25%
$ 99,606.59 50%
$123,771.17 75%
$138,216.06 90%

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Mathematics
  • Science
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 67,953.90 10%
$ 81,384.21 25%
$102,328.45 50%
$132,528.75 75%
$165,068.64 90%

Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 67,953.90 10%
$ 81,384.21 25%
$102,328.45 50%
$132,528.75 75%
$165,068.64 90%

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 44,299.49 10%
$ 54,472.88 25%
$ 66,987.02 50%
$ 85,291.92 75%
$111,770.14 90%

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,249.11 10%
$ 58,932.11 25%
$ 76,912.14 50%
$102,706.99 75%
$146,511.75 90%

Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Monitoring
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 69,652.84 10%
$ 81,619.69 25%
$100,933.17 50%
$127,459.66 75%
$157,954.76 90%
4,963
Students Participated in Experiential Learning
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Page last modified May 20, 2025