Industrial engineer
Industrial engineers are professionals who optimize complex systems and processes within manufacturing and service sectors to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve productivity. They leverage their knowledge of manufacturing processes along with management science, working collaboratively across various departments to implement effective workflow strategies and oversee the acquisition of new technologies. A key area of their expertise includes analyzing both mechanical and human elements of production, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently.
To pursue a career in industrial engineering, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering, along with strong foundations in mathematics, physics, and management principles. They often engage in continuous professional development through organizations such as the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. The job outlook for industrial engineers is robust, with expected employment growth of 12% over the next decade, driven by the need for improved operational efficiency across industries.
Industrial engineers are involved in all stages of production—from planning new manufacturing facilities to monitoring ongoing processes and addressing challenges as they arise. As the industry continues to evolve, particularly with advancements in technology and a focus on sustainability, the role of industrial engineers will increasingly adapt to integrate automation and minimize environmental impact.
Industrial engineer
Earnings (Yearly Median): $96,350 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
Employment and Outlook: 12% (Much faster than average) (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
O*NET-SOC Code: 17-2112.00
Related Career Clusters: Business, Management & Administration; Manufacturing; Architecture & Construction
Scope of Work
Industrial engineers combine knowledge of manufacturing processes with management science to develop efficient, cost-effective systems of production. They work on many levels within a company’s infrastructure, overseeing the purchase of new machinery, the implementation of workflow strategies, and the training of new hires. Industrial engineers work across a variety of departments, facilitating communication and collaborative planning.
Many industrial engineers work in the petroleum industry, designing systems for the extraction and refinement of crude oil, but principles of industrial engineering can be applied to any manufacturing process. The assembly line, a modern manufacturing staple developed during the early days of automobile mass production, is just one example of a system formulated by industrial engineers. Industrial engineers help companies meet their goals by analyzing the mechanical and human elements of the production process, addressing any issues that arise, and assuring the effective application of new work-floor plans or equipment.
Education and Coursework
Students hoping to pursue a career in industrial engineering should build a strong foundation in physics and mathematics during high school. Advanced Placement (AP) courses in economics and statistics will teach the skills necessary for understanding the financial and market aspects of the industrial engineer’s job. Courses that introduce students to the basics of blueprints and architecture, such as drafting and other industrial arts classes, are also highly useful. High school students should be aware of the entrance requirements for different university engineering programs and shape their course load accordingly.
Most entry-level industrial engineers have a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, mechanical engineering, or industrial engineering. However, given the interdisciplinary nature of a industrial engineer’s duties, a background in any number of industrial studies could be beneficial.
Students should not confine their coursework to cold numbers and machinery. Strong interpersonal skills are a must for any industrial engineer, given the social and collaborative nature of the position. The industrial engineer fosters successful working relationships and facilitates effective interdepartmental communication. Prospective industrial engineers should take management and management science classes in addition to coursework covering labor relations and ergonomics.
Students should seek internships and opportunities to shadow working industrial engineers to better understand day-to-day tasks. An advanced degree in systems engineering, industrial design, or business administration could diversify an applicant’s resume and open a broader scope of opportunities.
Career Enhancement and Training
Industrial engineers can build their professional networks through a variety of trade organizations. Membership in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), for example, means access to nearly a dozen conferences every year, online seminars, and industry awards programs. For industrial engineers looking to foster the management skills that are integral to their duties, the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) offers classes and certificate programs. Many professional organizations provide resources for learning about and implementing emerging technologies in manufacturing. Industrial engineers are required to keep abreast of new machinery and software that will allow them to design more efficient systems.
It is not as important for industrial engineers to become certified or licensed as it is for other engineering professionals. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does, however, encourage those industrial engineers who work for companies that have government contracts to obtain certification. The licensing process typically begins upon graduation from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)–approved undergraduate program. Following graduation, prospective industrial engineers should take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and gain work experience. At least four years should be spent in the field before moving on to the final step in the licensing process, the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
Daily Tasks and Technology
The industrial engineer’s job is to tune the manufacturing instrument, ensuring every part works in concert with the others. Industrial engineers are active in every stage of the production process and are responsible for seeing the implementation of new procedures through to completion. They will often be included on planning committees for constructing new factory floors and other manufacturing facilities; they will usually be brought in on the ground floor of the development, working with designers and researchers to build a product that meets customer demands while remaining economical. From there, the industrial engineer determines what manufacturing capabilities already exist and whether new machinery, materials, or labor practices are required. Once production begins, engineers continually monitor the process, gathering data and statistics to identify problems and eliminate inefficiencies.
Off the manufacturing floor, industrial engineers must constantly monitor demand and market forces that might affect the cost efficiency of their systems. They must also keep tabs on the production process's environmental impact and energy consumption.
Earnings and Employment Outlook
According to the BLS, industrial engineers earned a median annual wage of $99,380 in 2023. The lowest-earning 10 percent earned less than $65,320, and the top 10 percent earned more than $142,220. Those working in professional, scientific, and technical services earned $103,440, and those working in computer and electronics manufacturing earned about $101,250. Industrial engineers who worked in transportation equipment manufacturing earned $99,630, those who worked in machinery manufacturing earned $95,650, and industrial engineers who worked in fabricated metal product manufacturing earned $82,530.
The BLS estimates that employment of industrial engineers will increase by 12 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Additionally, industrial engineers have a wide range of employment options because they are less specialized than other engineers, as almost any industry seeks to cut costs and improve internal efficiency.
Related Occupations
• Industrial Engineering Technicians: Industrial engineering technicians work to solve industrial layout or manufacturing production problems by applying engineering theory.
• Ergonomists: Ergonomists design equipment to optimize worker productivity while minimizing operator fatigue.
• Petroleum Engineers: Petroleum engineers design systems to improve oil and gas extraction and production.
• Civil Engineers: Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, power plants, and dams.
• Mining and Geological Engineers: Mining and geological engineers survey potential sites and determine the production processes and equipment necessary to mine them efficiently and safely.
Future Applications
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET), maintained by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, lists industrial engineering as a field in which "green economy activities and technologies are likely to increase the employment demand, but will not lead to significant changes in the work and worker requirements." Production and other industrial engineers will play an essential role in minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing and making sure production processes are up to the standards of green technology.
As technology continues to streamline the manufacturing process, the duties of an industrial engineer are likely to change in scale but not in importance. Robotics technologies have already begun to minimize the human labor element of manufacturing, but industrial engineers will still be needed to design workflow systems, even as they become increasingly automated. Future industrial engineers must remain on the cutting edge of emerging technology. A greater understanding of computer science and software engineering may also benefit. As newer and more advanced consumer technology becomes more affordable, production output will need to increase, and industrial engineers will design the next generation of assembly lines and manufacturing floors.
Bibliography
"Industrial Engineers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 16 May 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
Kalpakjian, Serope, and Steven R. Schmid. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology. 8th ed., Pearson, 2023.
"Summary Report For: 17-2112.00 – Industrial Engineers." O*NET OnLine. Employment and Training Administration, US Department of Labor, 9 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2112.00. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.