Production Engineering

South Carolina continues to grow as a leader in advanced manufacturing, with global companies like BMW and Boeing driving innovation across our state. As smart manufacturing accelerates, the need for skilled workers in precision machining and production engineering is rising faster than employers can fill positions. Our Production Engineering program (formerly Machine Tool Technology) helps close that gap by preparing students for the modern manufacturing world, where traditional machining meets digital transformation.

Students learn how today’s manufacturers design, program, and produce high-quality products by combining the precision of machining with the creativity and problem solving of engineering. They explore the world of smart manufacturing, blending additive and subtractive technologies to design, program, and produce precision parts using advanced CNC and 3D printing systems.

Our Production Engineering program is part of the South Carolina Advanced Manufacturing Career Cluster. This two-year program equips students with the technical skills and engineering mindset needed to thrive in high-tech, high-demand manufacturing environments. Instruction blends classroom learning with extensive hands-on training on industry-standard equipment.

What you’ll do:

• Learn blueprint reading, measurement, and shop safety
• Operate milling machines, lathes, and other production tools
• Gain experience in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operations and programming
• Explore smart manufacturing concepts tied to real industry practices
• Use additive and subtractive processes to solve production challenges
• Apply engineering principles to improve product quality and efficiency

Certifications you can earn:

• Tier 1: OSHA-10, Stop the Bleed, YouScience Industry Certification: Entrepreneurship, Snap-on/NC3 Precision Measurement
• Tier 2: Titans of CNC Expert, Digital Multimeter (DMM) Certification 525
• Tier 3: TBD (Advanced CNC/production engineering certifications)

Students earn two high school credits each semester and up to eight credits over the two-year program. Credits count as electives toward South Carolina graduation requirements, and one credit may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement.

Visit us: Are you interested in meeting Mr. Fowler and touring our Production Engineering lab? After-school tours for prospective students and parents are available in December, January, and February. We’d love to show you the program and answer any questions you may have.

Production Engineering 1 & 2 — (AM Session at Enoree)

Year one of the Production Engineering program gives students a strong foundation in machining while stretching their skills into engineering and production concepts. Open to rising 10th and 11th graders, students attend Enoree Career Center during the morning session as part of their two-year commitment. Training begins with blueprint reading, shop safety, and the fundamentals of measurement and layout. Students quickly progress to operating lathes and milling machines, applying math, science, and problem-solving to projects that demand accuracy and precision.

As students advance through Production Engineering 2, instruction expands into CNC programming and operations while introducing the engineering mindset—how designs move from concept to production. Students are challenged to think like engineers, applying creativity, analysis, and teamwork to machining and production problems. This approach bridges hands-on machining skills with the problem-solving expected in higher education.

By the end of year one, students will have earned certifications such as OSHA-10, Stop the Bleed, YouScience Entrepreneurship, and Snap-on/NC3 Precision Measurement while also gaining exposure to industry-standard software and equipment. 

Production Engineering 3 & 4 — (PM Session at Enoree)

Year two of the Production Engineering program challenges students to apply their machining skills to advanced CNC operations and engineering-based projects that reflect the demands of modern manufacturing. Students attend Enoree Career Center during the afternoon session as part of their two-year commitment. Training emphasizes CNC programming, multi-axis machining, precision measurement, and integrating computer-aided design (CAD) with production processes. Students gain deeper insight into how engineers plan, design, and improve products while also learning to coordinate teams and manage production for efficiency, quality, and innovation.

As students progress through Production Engineering 3 and 4, they take on advanced projects that require both technical skill and engineering problem-solving. Instruction covers process improvement, tolerances, materials analysis, and the use of software to connect design to production. Students also strengthen teamwork, communication, and project management skills that mirror expectations in professional manufacturing settings.

A key feature of year two is participation in work-based learning placements with local manufacturers and partners. These opportunities allow students to apply classroom training, gain hands-on experience, and begin building professional networks. By the end of year two, students are prepared to test for certifications such as Titans of CNC Expert and Digital Multimeter (DMM) Certification 525. Graduates leave with certifications, WBL experience, and engineering-focused training that positions them for advanced manufacturing jobs or further education, including degrees at Greenville Tech, Wofford, or Clemson.

Machinist

Machinists read blueprints and make calculations. They feed material to machines, monitor and control processes, select and maintain tools, regulate temperature, ensure lubrication, and detect and troubleshoot malfunctions. Once they ensure the work accurately follows plans and blueprints, they produce the parts to order.

Salary- $42,147 per year on average, or $20.26 per hour

Production Supervisor

Production supervisors oversee teams of machinists and operators, ensuring safety, efficiency, and quality in a manufacturing environment. They combine technical knowledge with leadership and management skills.

Salary - $65,262 per year on average, or $31.38 per hour

Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineer

Engineers design, improve, and manage production systems, connecting the principles of engineering with the realities of manufacturing. They analyze data, improve efficiency, and innovate solutions for industry challenges.

Salary - $80,000–$95,000 per year on average, depending on role and education level