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Industrial Engineers

Careers / Industrial Engineers

Summary Description


	Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Automation Engineer

2.	Configuration Management Analyst

3.	Configuration Manager

4.	District Plant Engineer

5.	Documentation Engineer

6.	Efficiency Analyst

7.	Efficiency Engineer

8.	Efficiency Expert

9.	Engineer

10.	Engineering Inspector

11.	Engineering Manager

12.	Environmental Systems Coordinator

13.	Equipment Inspector

14.	Factory Engineer

15.	Factory Expert

16.	Factory Lay Out Engineer

17.	Factory Lay-Out Engineer

18.	Field Engineer

19.	Industrial Engineer

20.	Industrial Methods Consultant

21.	Inventory Analyst

22.	Liaison Engineer

23.	Logistical Engineer

24.	Manufacturing Engineer

25.	Manufacturing Planner

26.	Manufacturing Specialist

27.	Material Scheduler

28.	Materials Planner

29.	Metallurgical and Quality Control Testing Supervisor

30.	Methods Engineer

31.	Methods Time Analyst

32.	Metrologist

33.	Operations Engineer

34.	Packaging Engineer

35.	Plant Engineer

36.	Process Engineer

37.	Production Control Expert

38.	Production Control Planner

39.	Production Engineer

40.	Production Engineering Tooling Coordinator

41.	Production Expert

42.	Production Manager

43.	Production Planner

44.	Production Tool Engineer

45.	Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)

46.	Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer)

47.	Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager)

48.	Quality Assurance Technician

49.	Quality Control Analyst

50.	Quality Control Director

51.	Quality Control Engineer

52.	Quality Control Expert

53.	Quality Control Industrial Engineer

54.	Quality Control Manager

55.	Quality Control Specialist

56.	Quality Controller

57.	Quality Engineer

58.	Salvage Engineer

59.	Shoe Lay-Out Planner

60.	Standards Engineer

61.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

62.	Supply Chain Analyst

63.	Supply Chain Engineer

64.	Test Inspection Engineer

65.	Time Study Engineer

66.	Tool Design Engineer

67.	Tool Engineer

68.	Tool Planner

69.	Traffic Rate Analyst

70.	Vendor Quality Supervisor

Job Tasks

	Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization. Determine operational methods.

	Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities. Review technical documents to plan work.

	Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control. Estimate operational costs.

	Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer. Create graphical representations of industrial production systems.

	Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs. Direct quality control activities.

	Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

	Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization. Develop technical methods or processes.

	Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans. Communicate technical information to suppliers, contractors, or regulatory agencies. Discuss designs or plans with clients.

	Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.

	Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations. Schedule operational activities.

	Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards. Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.

	Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities. Review technical documents to plan work.

	Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists. Prepare procedural documents. Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications. Prepare operational reports.

	Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems. Document technical design details.

	Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability. Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

	Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan. Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

	Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data. Devise research or testing protocols.

	Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility. Implement design or process improvements.

	Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements. Schedule operational activities.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Industrial Engineers
	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Industrial Engineers
	Depending on their tasks, industrial engineers work either in offices or in the settings they are trying to improve. For example, when observing problems, they may watch workers assembling parts in a factory. When solving problems, they may be in an office at a computer, looking at data that they or others have collected.

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Interesting Fact

The state with the largest agricultural industry is California, which has a production more than double the second-place state.

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