Here's how you can use your expertise as a manufacturing engineer to secure high-paying freelance projects.

Credibility building takes time & effort. One have to work before showcasing. Also, showcasing right thing which affects your audience, is a must. Past employers recommendations, team members recommendations & certificates are some of the ways to do this. Also, keep updating yourself & your portfolio from time to time.

Credibility is also established by showing unique perspectives, innovation forward looking. Credibility comes from having really addressed customers pain points, with a supportive and proactive attitude.

Critical trouble shooting skills are the only way of securing a high paying freelance position in the context of manufacturing. There aren't any alternate wats since networking and drum beating your track will only take you somewhere not really worth the efforts but genuine skills in high end trouble shooting will certainly move you places. Second most important aspect is the field of your expertise. Developments in energy management and engineering will be top drawer attractions followed by food engineering problems and plastic polymers especially in the realm of recycled polymers. Core industries like steel and pharmaceuticals as well as yarn manufacturing industry the value chain also have chronic problems awaiting solutions to earn.

Reach out to your network. This is where you'll find the bridges built previously. Create allies, offer your support, make yourself available, by obsessed about customers and their challenges. Business will follow as a consequence.

Networking is powerful way to grow. Knowing someone is imporatnt, but more important is to be remembered by that person when he/she thinks of a skill. So, keep youself visible & approachable through your network.

One needs to study the client's processes, methods and technology employed before offering direct solutions. Find out data available or if not, generate data on the client's problems. Then analyse the data and based on that prepare solutions suitable.

Talk about what can be done rather than what prevents to move forward. Talk and explain the path through instead of the obstacles. Be obsessed to truly and deeply understand your customers' needs and help them to address them. Solution is what makes the difference. And if there is no solution than there is no problem!

Product life cycle management. Link between manufacturing and design automation. How to leverage existing data to improve outcome. Connect supply chain to operations in smart ways (AI, generative LLM, and new technologies will make a huge impact). Help your customers to understand what new technologies can do for them. Help them to see the future. This has a huge impact.

Thoroughly study the processes and process flow start to end. Identity bottle necks to achieve optimum throughput time. Then find out how to overcome /mitigate bottle necks, simultaneously apply the techniques (technologies) wherever suitable / applicable.

I think this is applicable in every industry including manufacturing. In this VUCA world technology is changing very frequently & weven if something is not affecting us now does not means it will not affect us in near future. So, keep your self updated in your industry, which will keep you relevant & understand the perspectives easily.

Follow ups are not bad, rather in this busy world, it is like reminding someone of something which may not be relevant to them but important for you. Also, it gives opportunity for improvement & demonstrates your proactive approach.

Don't assume to be on top of your customers' agenda. Don't assume that lack of communication is lack of interest. Rather follow up and show your interest and how you value your customers. Always ask what you can do rather than what should you expect from others.

The customer is ALWAYS busy in their business, keep in touch from time to time makes a huge difference from staying silent. Following up keep the business going not only knowing how the solution goes, developed more chance to service, too.