Industrial Engineers

Career summary

#match with 2424 industrial engineers

Industrial engineers design systems for:

• Moving heavy parts in a factory
• Assembly line production
• Getting goods to a customer
• Evaluating employees
• Paying employees

Before they can design a new system, industrial engineers review the steps in the work process for the item being produced or the service being offered. Engineers study each task that workers perform and the machines they use.

Once they understand the process, engineers determine the best way to modify the work. They may recommend changing the order in which materials are processed or how many steps each worker must complete. They may also design new equipment.

Some engineers specialize in improving the output from workers. They may suggest ways to encourage workers to work faster or with fewer errors.

Industrial engineers use many tools and techniques in their work, including computers, drafting tools, and statistical software. They write reports and create diagrams that show their setup recommendations. Industrial engineers must also do mathematical calculations to monitor the costs and savings of their changes. They keep detailed records of their ideas, designs, changes, budgets, and any problems.

Industrial engineers talk with vendors, managers, and employees to discuss changes and generate ideas. Any time something goes wrong, engineers step in to determine what happened and what needs to be done to fix it.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Engineering Technicians
• Geothermal Production Managers
• Hydroelectric Production Managers
• Industrial Production Managers
• Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Materials Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Mining Engineers
• Petroleum Engineers
• Safety Engineers
• Validation Engineers

Military careers

• Industrial Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to industrial engineers.

• Gather information about how products are made.
• Design equipment, materials, and work space, using drafting tools and computers.
• Develop the best methods to produce the product. Analyze labor and manufacturing costs and the setup of production equipment.
• Analyze data and product designs to make sure the results will be of high quality and reliable.
• Estimate the costs for entire projects and any changes.
• Draw diagrams of how to lay out the production area.
• Work with vendors, employees, and managers during all aspects of projects planning and production.
• Run statistical analyses of how changes will improve the production process.
• Recommend changes to improve how workers, materials, and resources are used.
• Manage quality control procedures to keep projects efficient and running on time.
• Fix problems as they arise.
• Make sure accurate records are kept of designs, changes, and any problems.

Common work activities

Industrial engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Analyze data or information
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Evaluate information against standards
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Control machines and processes
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Schedule work and activities
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor and control resources
• Develop goals and strategies
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Teach others
• Coach others
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, industrial engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium to high level of social contact. They talk to managers and workers, but also spend time alone analyzing data.
• Communicate by telephone, e-mail, and in person on a daily basis. They also communicate by letters and memos, but less often.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations. Clients and coworkers may disagree about the direction of a project.
• Are responsible for the work done by their assistants.
• Regularly work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors. Some work sites may not have heating or air conditioning.
• Wear protective attire, such as eye goggles and hard hats, on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable on a weekly basis.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Are occasionally exposed to hazardous equipment.
• May share office or work space with coworkers.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could cause workers to be hurt or companies to lose money.
• Regularly make decisions that strongly impact their employer's reputation.
• Make decisions that affect coworkers and clients on a weekly basis. They make most decisions without consulting a supervisor first.
• Set most tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict weekly deadlines.
• Sometimes repeat the same activities.

Hours/travel

• Usually work full time. Working overtime to meet deadlines is common.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Industrial engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for industrial engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for industrial engineers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

Skills and abilities

Industrial engineers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Engineering and Industrial Management
• Engineering, General
• Industrial Technology
• Operations Management
• Operations Research
• Pre-Engineering

Training

To work as an industrial engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching industrial engineering, you need a PhD. Also, many engineers go to graduate school to specialize in an area of industrial engineering.

In a typical four-year program, courses include math, basic science, introductory engineering, and social science. You may also study financial engineering, capital budgeting, and safety management. Additional courses include queuing systems and facility planning.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with a manufacturing firm while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

In general, industrial engineers receive on-the-job training. The length of training varies by employer. Some provide up to three months of training and others offer up to two years. Recent graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. As you gain knowledge and experience you have greater independence and work on more difficult tasks.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training in this field. However, the military may provide work experience to industrial engineering graduates.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Trigonometry and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

For entry-level jobs, most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. Some employers may require applicants who have a few years of direct work experience. Employers may require a master's degree or higher for research and consulting jobs.

Employers prefer to hire industrial engineers who are creative. They also look for applicants who are detail-oriented and analytical. In addition, employers look for applicants who have good communication skills.

Employers may require additional course work in business administration, math, statistics, or related engineering disciplines.

Employers encourage experienced workers to seek their license. For general (non-consulting) positions, a license may not be critical. The extent and type of experience is the most important factor when hiring for these positions.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Workers may have to pay for continuing education classes for professional development and to keep up with changes in the field. They may also want to obtain certification from a national organization. This usually involves additional education and testing.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who want to be licensed must pay an exam fee to the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and a $65 fee for the initial state exam application. The state licence renewal fee is $116 every two years. Not all industrial engineers must be licensed.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#Deleted reference to fee for Engineers-in-Training since couldn't find on DOL site; rest same, 4/4/18 cj. Wasn't able to find NCEES exam fee so waffled. changed NCEES url to secure format 2/5/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Industrial Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The engineer's level of training, experience, and responsibility also affect wages.

Industrial engineers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Aerospace product and parts manufacturers
• Engineering firms
• Navigational and control equipment manufacturers
• Motor vehicle parts manufacturers
• Semiconductor and parts manufacturers

National outlook

Demand is expected to grow faster than average for this occupation. This occupation is versatile both in the nature of the work it does and in the industries in which its expertise can be put to use. Growth in healthcare and changes in how healthcare is delivered will create demand for industrial engineers in firms in professional, scientific, and consulting services.

Job openings will occur each year as workers leave this occupation or retire.

Other resources

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Society for Quality 
PO Box 3005
Milwaukee, WI 53201-3005
800.248.1946

Association for Manufacturing Technology 
7901 Westpark Drive
McLean, VA 22102
800.524.0475
703.893.2900

Discover Engineering 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Engineering Your Future 

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers 
3577 Parkway Lane, Suite 200
Norcross, GA 30092
800.494.0460
770.449.0460

International Council of Systems Engineers 
7670 Opportunity Road, Suite 220
San Diego, CA 92111
858.541.1725

National Academy of Engineering 
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.3200

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Society of Professional Engineers 
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
888.285.6773
703.684.2800

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering 

Washington Society of Professional Engineers 

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Industrial Engineers (17-2112.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Configuration Management Analyst (012.167-010) 
• Documentation Engineer (012.167-078) 
• Equipment Inspector (822.261-014) 
• Factory Lay-out Engineer (012.167-018) 
• Industrial Engineer (012.167-030) 
• Liaison Engineer (012.167-038) 
• Logistics Engineer (019.167-010) 
• Manager, Quality Control (012.167-014) 
• Manufacturing Engineer (012.167-042) 
• Material Scheduler (012.167-082) 
• Metrologist (012.067-010) 
• Production Engineer (012.167-046) 
• Production Planner (012.167-050) 
• Quality Control Engineer (012.167-054) 
• Shoe-lay-out Planner (012.187-014) 
• Standards Engineer (012.061-018) 
• Supervisor, Metallurgical-and-quality-control-testing (011.161-010) 
• Supervisor, Vendor Quality (012.167-062) 
• Time-study Engineer (012.167-070) 
• Tool Planner (012.167-074) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational clusters

• Investigative/Conventional/Enterprising
• Investigative/Enterprising/Conventional

COPSystem

• Business Professional