Occupation

Industrial Engineers

Human Advantage 72%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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.

Also Known As: Continuous Improvement Engineer, District Plant Engineer, Documentation Engineer, Efficiency Analyst, Efficiency Engineer, Efficiency Expert, Engineer, Engineering Inspector +37 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
  2. Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
  3. Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
  4. Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
  5. Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
  6. Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
  7. Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
  8. Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
  9. Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
  10. Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
  11. Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization.
  12. Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities.
  13. Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists.
  14. Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs.
  15. Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility.
  16. Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards.
  17. Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities.
  18. Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.

Supplemental Tasks (2)

  1. Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations.
  2. Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount 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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
59%
Some College Courses
16%
Master's Degree
11%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
8%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
4%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3%

Relevant College Majors

  • Materials Engineering CIP 14.1801Properties and applications of metals, polymers, and composites.
  • Materials Science CIP 14.1802Research into material properties and behaviour.

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • C++
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • GitHub
  • JUnit
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • Microsoft Word
  • Python
  • R
  • SAP software
  • SAS
  • Shell script
  • Structured query language SQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX Shell

Software (104)

  • 3D Static Strength Prediction Program 3DSSPP
  • A mathematical programming language AMPL
  • Allen Bradley PanelView
  • Assembly line balancing software
  • Automatic dynamic incremental nonlinear analysis ADINA
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Computer numerical control CNC software
  • Dassault Systemes Abaqus
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Data acquisition software
  • Dataxiom StatMost
  • Decision support software
  • Design of experiments DOE software
  • Discrete event simulation software
  • ECHIP
  • EGS FeatureCAM
  • ETA Dynaform
  • Electronic breadboard software
  • Facilities design software
  • Facilities planning software
  • Finite element method FEM software
  • Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
  • Human machine interface HMI software
  • Human modeling software
  • IBM Notes
  • ILOG CPLEX
  • Integrated development environment IDE software
  • International TechneGroup IGESworks
  • Inventory management software
  • Logic programming software
  • MAGMA MAGMASOFT
  • Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search MINOS software
  • Manhattan Associates PkMS Pickticket
  • Maplesoft Maple
  • Materials requirement planning MRP software
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • Maya HTT I-DEAS
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
  • Minitab
  • Modular arrangement of predetermined time standards software MODAPTS
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Neural network modeling software
  • NeuralWare
  • Numerical control software
  • Nupro CastView
  • Optimization software
  • Oracle Retek
  • PMC KanbanSIM
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • Personnel scheduling software
  • ProModel
  • Process reengineering software
  • Production flow analysis software
  • Production scheduling and planning software
  • Quality control software
  • Robotic control software
  • Robotic simulation software
  • Rockwell Automation Arena
  • Rockwell RSLogix
  • Siemens UGS Jack
  • Statgraphics
  • Statistical software
  • Stratasys FDM MedModeler
  • Sun Microsystems Java
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Supply chain capacity planning software
  • Task analysis software
  • Three-dimensional simulation translation software
  • Time and motion analysis software
  • UGS Solid Edge
  • User interface design software
  • Warehouse management system WMS
  • Windward Technologies GRG2
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Workcell simulation software
  • Yield management systems

Tools & Equipment (49)

  • Anechoic auditory test chambers
  • Anthropometers
  • Audio amplifiers
  • Audio equalizers
  • Audio tape recorders
  • Audiometers
  • Camera controllers
  • Computer servers
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMM
  • Digital cameras
  • Electrogoniometers
  • Electrophysics infrared cameras
  • Environmental ovens
  • Fast Fourier transform FFT spectrum analyzers
  • Force plates
  • Hardness testers
  • Heart rate monitors
  • Heated environmental chambers
  • Hydraulic power units
  • Hydraulic presses
  • Inverted metallurgical microscopes
  • Laser printers
  • Load cells
  • Microcontrollers
  • Motion control systems
  • Multimeters
  • Noise dosimeters
  • Octave band analyzers
  • Optical benches
  • Oxygen uptake measurement devices
  • Personal computers
  • Photometer
  • Potentiometers
  • Pressure transducers
  • Programmable logic controller PLC controlled turntables
  • Programmable logic controllers PLC
  • Pulsed width modulation PWM drives
  • Radiometers
  • Recording microphones
  • Reverberant auditory test chambers
  • Signal generators
  • Sound level calibrators
  • Sound level meters
  • Tensile testers
  • Thermocouples
  • Time delay relay panel boxes
  • Torsion meters
  • Variable frequency drives VFD
  • Vibration tables

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Engineering Advanced Manufacturing

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