Industrial Engineers

Career 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.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Industrial Engineers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
• Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization.
• Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
• Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
• Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards.
• Coordinate quality control objectives and activities to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, and minimize cost.
• Confer with vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, procedures, product specifications, manufacturing capabilities, and project status.
• Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
• Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities.
• Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
• Estimate production cost and effect of product design changes for management review, action, and control.
• Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.
• Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
• Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities.
• Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
• Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility.
• Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
• Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists.
• Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements.
• Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations.
• Develop, implement, and manage plans and programs related to conservation and management of natural resources.
• Assess, sort, characterize, and pack known and unknown materials.
• Request bids from suppliers or consultants.
• Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, and planning or reviewing database development.
• Design and supervise the development of systems processes or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.

Emerging Tasks

• Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, and project status.
• Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, and procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, and minimize costs.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• 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.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• 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.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• 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.
• 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.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• advise clients regarding engineering problems
• analyze effectiveness of safety systems or procedures
• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• assign work to staff or employees
• calculate engineering specifications
• communicate technical information
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• coordinate engineering project activities
• coordinate production materials, activities or processes
• design manufacturing processes or methods
• determine factors affecting production processes
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop safety regulations
• direct personnel in support of engineering activities
• establish production schedule
• estimate materials or labor requirements
• estimate production costs
• evaluate engineering data
• evaluate equipment for compliance with standards
• evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• follow statistical process control procedures
• improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• lead teams in engineering projects
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• perform statistical modeling
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare safety reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read technical drawings
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• resolve engineering or science problems
• study time, motion, or work methods of workers
• supervise quality control workers
• understand engineering data or reports
• use cost benefit analysis techniques
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use hazardous materials information
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use project management techniques
• use quality assurance techniques
• use scientific research methodology
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use total quality management practices
• test air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand construction specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand government construction contracting regulations
• use building or land use regulations
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use field notes in technical drawings
• use government regulations
• use hazardous disposal techniques
• use hazardous materials information
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
• use land surveying techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of laser technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use machining operations with semiconductor chip forming technology
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quality assurance techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use total quality management practices
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$34.34
• Average annual wage (2007) - $71,430.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 20.34%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 40,951
• Employment (2006): 201,311

• Aerospace Engineers
• Industrial Engineering Technicians
• Materials Engineers
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
• Petroleum Engineers
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Mechanical Engineers
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic