New Graduate Program Builds Changemakers, Not Just Engineers

SMU Lyle School of Engineering is introducing its updated Manufacturing Leadership and Innovation program, a Master of Science degree designed to expand opportunities for innovators shaping the future of manufacturing. The program is now available to high-achieving students and professionals — whether they are engineers seeking to build leadership expertise or business professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies.

Building on the longstanding Master of Science in Manufacturing Management program, a cornerstone of graduate education at SMU Lyle, the updated degree was shaped through extensive conversations with manufacturing executives, industry leaders and employers about the evolving demand for senior-level talent.

New graduate program develops manufacturing leaders for the future

The updated Manufacturing Leadership and Innovation program is designed to prepare students for advanced careers as engineers, strategists and organizational leaders capable of driving innovation across the manufacturing sector.

Reflecting Lyle’s growing expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies, the curriculum emphasizes emerging areas including digital twin technology, artificial intelligence and computer-integrated manufacturing. The program is designed to evolve alongside industry needs while equipping students with practical and future-focused skills.

“With our program, students gain exposure to technologies that are becoming more common and are being adopted in advanced manufacturing environments,” said Jim Webb, clinical professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Master of Science in Manufacturing Leadership and Innovation program. “This addition was built on the kind of systems mindset that employers want in engineers and leaders who will lead transformation.”

Alongside its expanded focus on leadership and innovation, the degree builds on core engineering principles — including analysis, design, materials and mechanics — to develop engineers who think like innovators, not just instruments, in advancing manufacturing.

From technology-focused training in data and AI-driven optimization to cultivating skills in strategy, management and organizational leadership, Lyle aims to equip students with the tools to progress the industry, starting from the factory floor.

For future manufacturing leaders, innovation is viewed as an essential skill rather than a “nice-to-have,” giving graduates an advantage as manufacturing executives and operations leaders in fast-growing industries including defense, aerospace, biomedical manufacturing and automation.

“Our graduates are prepared to be change agents, not just contributors,” Webb said. “Manufacturing doesn’t lack engineers — but they do lack engineers who can lead innovation, manage complexity and implement new technologies at scale. The program helps redefine what it means to be a modern engineer. Additionally, it provides business professionals with the tools needed to better manage the constantly evolving manufacturing environment.”

The Master of Science in Manufacturing Leadership and Innovation is now open to students interested in combining engineering and business expertise to build purpose-driven careers in advanced manufacturing.

The program represents another step forward in SMU Lyle’s commitment to developing high-level talent and strengthening the region’s position as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing.

“We aren’t just looking to award another master’s degree,” Webb said. “It’s about creating a pipeline of leaders who can lead manufacturing innovation in an era of rapid technological change, benefiting students, employers and the discipline itself.”

Applications are now open for the Master of Science in Manufacturing Leadership and Innovation program. Learn more about the curriculum, admissions requirements and career opportunities.

About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering

SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, SMU Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.

About SMU

SMU is the nationally ranked teaching and research university in the dynamic city of Dallas, and a member of the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference. SMU’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.