What You Need to Know About Industrial Engineers

Industrial Engineer Job 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.

Industrial Engineer Responsibilities

• Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
• Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations.
• Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards.
• Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs.

Things an Industrial Engineer Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Industrial Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Types of Industrial Engineer Jobs

• Production Control Planner
• Production Engineering Tooling Coordinator
• Production Manager
• Liaison Engineer
• Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager)

Industrial Engineer Job Outlook

There were about 257,900 jobs for Industrial Engineers in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,100 new jobs for Industrial Engineers by 2026. The BLS estimates 19,700 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Industrial Engineers are Michigan, California, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, Vermont, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for Industrial Engineers

Industrial Engineers Make between $56,470 and $132,340 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $87,040.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Texas	$109,880
California	$107,810
Washington	$106,980
Wyoming	$102,730
Massachusetts	$102,210
Maryland	$102,200
New Mexico	$102,120
Montana	$100,640
Colorado	$100,460
Louisiana	$99,090
New Jersey	$98,050
Rhode Island	$97,610
Arizona	$95,940
Hawaii	$95,590
Idaho	$94,830
New York	$94,700
Delaware	$94,590
West Virginia	$94,480
Virginia	$93,980
New Hampshire	$91,530
Oregon	$90,980
Minnesota	$90,580
Connecticut	$89,830
Utah	$89,830
Michigan	$89,330
Illinois	$88,850
District of Columbia	$88,380
Maine	$88,020
Alabama	$87,870
Missouri	$87,620
Nevada	$87,140
North Carolina	$87,110
South Carolina	$87,080
Georgia	$86,220
Pennsylvania	$86,080
Nebraska	$85,950
Oklahoma	$85,280
Tennessee	$84,070
Ohio	$84,060
South Dakota	$82,780
Iowa	$82,770
Mississippi	$82,040
North Dakota	$79,980
Vermont	$79,700
Kansas	$79,580
Kentucky	$79,170
Florida	$77,410
Wisconsin	$77,260
Arkansas	$77,100
Indiana	$74,430

What Tools & Technology do Industrial Engineers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Industrial Engineers may use on a daily basis:

• Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
• Linux
• Shell script
• Microsoft Office
• R
• IBM Notes
• PTC Creo Parametric
• Dassault Systemes CATIA
• Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
• Electronic breadboard software

How do I Become an Industrial Engineer?

Learn what Industrial Engineer education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become an Industrial Engineer?

Who Employs Industrial Engineers?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being an Industrial Engineer may also be interested in:

• Aerospace Engineers

Those who work as Industrial Engineers sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Robotics Engineers
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
• Architectural and Engineering Managers

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons