Industrial Engineers

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Architecture & Engineering
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-2112
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
• Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
• Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
• Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
• Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
• Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
• Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
• Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
• Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
• Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization.
• Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Bentley MicroStation, C++, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Extensible markup language XML, GitHub, JUnit, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Industrial Production Managers
• Validation Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Logistics Engineers
• Mechatronics Engineers
• Electrical Engineers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Industrial Engineers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.