The Master of Science in Manufacturing Management program at SMU Lyle puts graduate students in high-tech laboratories.

Graduate programs

Manufacturing management

Advance the future of manufacturing

Request Info

Apply

Program format

In-person and online

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Two years (full time);
Three years (part time)

Overview

SMU Lyle’s M.S. in manufacturing management equips professionals with knowledge and managerial skills to lead the future of manufacturing. Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, the program merges technical expertise with strategic management insights, preparing graduates to drive efficiency, innovation, automation and sustainability in manufacturing enterprises.

Students learn about entrepreneurship, business and manufacturing strategy, computer integrated manufacturing and AI, global manufacturing and organizational leadership.

The program is designed with the working professional in mind. It consists of a Monday evening lecture that is recorded and a Saturday morning interactive session designed for students to interact with the professor and each other to resolve contemporary manufacturing issues. 

Thinking Grad School? Think SMU.

Envisioning a brighter future? Think grad school at SMU, where you join a lifelong family network and see immediate returns on your educational investment. Take your new big step at SMU.

Student success

Lyle students with a master’s in manufacturing management are highly sought after and consistently secure positions at leading companies and organizations in private and public sectors. They enter the workforce as trained leaders in entrepreneurship, business and manufacturing strategy, Digital Twins, computer integrated manufacturing and AI, global manufacturing and organizational leadership.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Operations management
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Quality assurance and process improvement
  • Industrial engineering and systems design
  • Aerospace and defense manufacturing
  • Medical device development
  • Petrochemical and materials engineering

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

100%

of M.S. manufacturing management graduates employed full time within six months of graduation

Career Outcomes Dashboard

$106,666

Average starting salary for M.S. manufacturing management graduates (2024)

Career Outcomes Dashboard

Student stories

Mechanical engineering graduate students work on projects within the Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing.

Human expertise, digital intelligence

SMU researchers explore digital twins and AI for aerospace manufacturing.

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Find answers to Lyle application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. Applicants are required to have a B.S. in one of the engineering disciplines or a closely related scientific field, or five years of directly relevant professional experience after completion of a B.S. degree.

All applications are holistically reviewed.

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

ME 7301

Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Manufacturing

Provides a perspective of entrepreneurial thought and the necessary tools for developing a business plan and starting a manufacturing venture.

ME 7355

Fundamentals of Digital Twin Technology

Students learn the capabilities of digital twins to create real-time virtual models of physical systems for design, simulation, monitoring and optimization.

ME 7338

Advanced Manufacturing Processes

Provides an in-depth exploration of contemporary and emerging manufacturing processes, emphasizing quality control, reliability, optimization and simulation.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

  • Centers and institutes

    Grow as an engineer with collectives that promote leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.

  • Maria Murad with friends in Jordan

    Internships

    Get practical experience to develop industry skills, build a professional network and gain valuable insights. Internships can open doors to future opportunities and contribute to long-term career success.

  • Clubs and organizations

    Explore interests, develop leadership skills and connect with like-minded peers.

  • SMU students working with plants at Bontham Family Farms

    Community engagement

    Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while making a positive impact.

Research

Participate in graduate research opportunities and tackle real-world challenges in sustainable manufacturing, global supply chains and international manufacturing operations.

Lyle students and faculty perform research that has global implications, taking advantage of state-of-the-art facilities and funding from government agencies, foundations and private companies.

Faculty

This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards.

Amin Salehi-Khojin

Amin Salehi-Khojin, Ph.D.

Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Mechanical Engineering…
Edmond Richer Headshot

Edmond Richer, Ph.D.

Associate Chair of Graduate Studies and Research Associate Professor of Mechanical…
Headshot of Ali Beskok, Ph.D of SMU Lyle.

Ali Beskok, Ph.D.

George R. Brown Chair of Mechanical Engineering Associate Dean of Research Innovation…
Adel Alaeddini Headshot

Adel Alaeddini Ph.D.

O'Donnell Foundation Professor Co-Executive Director of Center for Digital and…
Dr Elena Borzova

Elena Borzova, Ph.D.

Clinical Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Advisor

Headshot of Dr.Ali H. Dogru of SMU Lyle

Ali H. Dogru, Ph.D.

Herman Brown Chair of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Mechanical Engineering…
Xin-Lin Gao Headshot

Xin-Lin Gao, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

A portrait photo of SMU Lyle faculty David Guirguis, Ph.D.

David Guirguis, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Ph.D.

Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering University Distinguished Professor Altshuler…
Hamidreza Karbasian, Ph.D.

Hamidreza Karbasian, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor in AI-Powered Digital Engineering Systems

MinJun Kim Headshot

MinJun Kim, Ph.D.

Robert C. Womack Chair in Engineering Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Headshot of Dr. Rong Kou of SMU lyle.

Rong Kou, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Director of Lyle Lab Operations and Safety
Headshot of Jose L. Lage, Ph.D. of SMU Lyle.

José L. Lage, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Steven Lerner

Steve L. Lerner, Ph.D.

Professor of Practice of Mechanical Engineering Director of Master of Science in…
Xu Nie, Ph.D.

Xu Nie, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Seth Orsborn sq

Seth Orsborn, Ph.D.

Clinical Professor of Mechanical Engineering Director of Deason Innovation Gym Director …
Dr Volkan Otugen

Volkan Otugen, Ph.D.

George R. Brown Endowed Chair of Mechanical Engineering Professor of Mechanical…
Headshot of Dr.Ilias Papailias of SMU Lyle

Ilias Papailias, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
A headshot of Peter Raad, a member of the Lyle School of Engineering Faculty.

Peter Raad

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Headshot of Professor Saeed Salehi of SMU lyle.

Saeed Salehi, Ph.D.

Herman Brown Chair in Engineering Professor of Mechanical Engineering Professor of…
Wei Tong Headshot

Wei Tong, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering Acting Director of Research Center for Advanced…
A portrait photo of Dr. Donghai Wang of the Mechanical Engineering Department at SMU Lyle

Donghai Wang, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering Brown Foundation Chair of Mechanical Engineering
Headshot of Jim Webb, D.Mgt of SMU Lyle.

Jim Webb, D.Mgt.

Clinical Professor of Mechanical Engineering Director of Master of Science in…
David Willis headshot

David A. Willis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Mechanical Engineering

Facilities

SMU Lyle students have access to state-of-the-art facilities where they can conduct research, meet with industry leaders, and gain skills on new and established technologies.

SMU engineering students use state-of-the-art technology in the Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing

Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing

Combines research innovation and industry partnerships to explore how digital twins, AI, virtual reality and more will shape the future of manufacturing.

The Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship gives engineering students a platform to solve global problems.

Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

A co-venture of SMU Cox and SMU Lyle, the institute provides opportunities to create new products and processes for the marketplace, and business plans to determine how to take these products to the world.

Request more info about this program

Request more info about the M.S. in manufacturing management

Loading...

Frequently asked questions

Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research, graduates with a master’s in manufacturing management drive the future of manufacturing toward more intelligent, adaptive and sustainable solutions.

This program empowers graduates to gain knowledge at the intersection of manufacturing and management, where they learn to address the world’s most challenging operations and high-tech problems. 

Students with an M.S. in manufacturing management benefit from our strong industry connections for internship and career opportunities alike, with potential roles including supply chain manager, product development manager, quality assurance manager, global manufacturing director, vice president of manufacturing, chief operating officer, or research and development engineering manager.

Global competition, rapid advances in manufacturing technology, integration across the enterprise, and an expanding role for software are putting pressure on manufacturing businesses, from the Fortune 500 to small job shops. Success in this field now requires manufacturing professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Having the necessary expertise in a field that’s always evolving ensures candidates with advanced degrees in manufacturing management have better job opportunities, higher pay and an expanded network. 

SMU Lyle’s weekend format master’s degrees are developed for and exclusively offered to local industry professionals with engineering or science undergraduate degrees looking to advance their careers.

It consists of a Monday evening lecture that is recorded, and a Saturday morning interactive session designed for students to interact with the professor and each other to resolve contemporary manufacturing issues.

The average M.S. manufacturing management graduate’s starting salary is $106,600 (2024).

At the cutting edge of modern manufacturing technologies, SMU’s research in advanced manufacturing addresses the evolving demands of industry by integrating innovative digital and physical systems. Spanning key areas such as digital and smart manufacturing, additive manufacturing, nano/micro-manufacturing and bio-manufacturing, we focus on the design, optimization and automation of complex production processes.

By leveraging advancements in AI, digital twins, robotics, material sciences and cyber-physical systems, our work aims to revolutionize production efficiency, precision and scalability.

At SMU’s Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing, students combine research innovation and industry partnerships to explore how digital twins, AI, virtual reality and more will shape the future of manufacturing.

Developed in consultation with business and industry leaders and professionals in manufacturing, the SMU M.S. in manufacturing management program is unique in providing both the latest in technology and the broad management skills needed for success in today’s business.

The interdisciplinary program prepares engineering and manufacturing professionals to lead their company in the integration of the entire product commercialization process — including concept, design, manufacturing process development, production and distribution. The program provides a broad set of business and technical skills to manage this integrated process including strategies, globalization, leadership, innovation, finance, quality and automation.

Related programs