What does an Industrial Engineer do?
Published 3 min read
Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.
Industrial Engineer job duties include:
- Developing and improving systems, processes, and products
- Conducting time studies and analyzing work data
- Developing manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff utilization and cost containment
- Coordinating plant layout changes and recommending improvements to production line operations
- Investigating new technologies to determine their applicability to specific tasks or processes
- Implementing quality control procedures and developing quality assurance plans
- Creating models or simulations to test the feasibility of proposed solutions
- Writing reports documenting findings and recommendations
- Presenting findings and recommendations to clients or management
Industrial Engineer Job Requirements
Most industrial engineering programs are accredited by ABET. A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level industrial engineering positions, although some jobs may only require an associate's degree. A master's degree may be needed for advanced positions or for specialization. Many industrial engineers have a bachelor's or master's degree in industrial engineering. Some also have a degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or another engineering discipline. Certification as a professional engineer (PE) is not required for entry-level positions, but it may be helpful in getting a job or advancing in your career. Many industrial engineers become certified as Six Sigma Black Belts or Green Belts to show their proficiency in quality improvement techniques.
Industrial Engineer Skills
- Six Sigma
- Kaizen
- Value Stream Mapping
- DMAIC
- Process Capability
- Process Flow Diagrams
- Root Cause Analysis
- DOE
- FMEA
- SPC
- TQM
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How to become an Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the optimization of complex processes or systems. Industrial engineers work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. They may also work in the service sector, such as in consulting or project management.
To become an industrial engineer, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from an accredited engineering program. You can also earn a master's degree or PhD in industrial engineering if you wish to pursue a career in research or academia. After completing your degree, you will need to pass the Engineer-in-Training Exam (EIT) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE) to become a licensed professional engineer (PE).
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