An industrial engineer is responsible for engineering a production line in the most efficient way possible to maximize output in relation to input. An industrial engineer is charged with finding the most effective way to balance human, mechanical, and natural resources to get a particular task done in the most effective and profitable way possible. Since industrial engineers are interested in the big picture, their job description includes a range of disciplines from human management to effective appropriation of materials, employees, machines, locations, energy, and information to build a manufacturing picture which suits the industry and serves its goals in the most effective way possible. Examples of the jobs fulfilled by the industrial engineer are: developing management control systems in order to aid financial planning and cost analysis; creating control systems to most efficiently coordinate interwoven industrial activities and ensure product quality; designing logistical systems to efficiently coordinate the transport and development of goods and services within a given manufacturing system; and building wage systems as well as employment evaluation systems to maximize the productivity of a given employment system.
Most entry-level industrial engineering jobs require a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Some industrial engineering jobs may be available for persons with degrees in math and science, depending on the demand in a particular area. Since industrial engineering is very demanding work, experience in a particular branch or specialty of industrial engineering usually has more influence on the chance of one getting hired than does a masters degree, for example.
Industrial engineers typically work 40-hour weeks, but depending on the urgency of a given project they may occasionally find themselves working extra hours in order to get the job done on time. Most of an industrial engineer’s time is spent behind the desk working through problems in industrial structure and increasing efficiency through planning. An industrial engineer also has does field work to collect data and analyze management structure and general production efficiency. Industrial engineering is a very involved, analytical job requiring creative problem-solving abilities as well as a strong mathematical and scientific background. The industrial engineer develops an effective plan and presents it to the company management.
While an industrial engineer can apply for a general engineering license, it is not usually necessary since many companies need the expertise and management skills an industrial engineer offers as opposed to patentable plans. Most firms in need of an industrial engineer look at the program from which an individual graduated when making a decision as to whether to hire or not. Industrial engineers often spend years working for a particular company, and very often are promoted to a direct management position after a number of years. This lends to the fluidity of the industrial engineering positions available in the US and Canada.
Engineers are expected to solve some of our toughest problems, and they are compensated handsomely for their efforts. The average industrial engineer makes $65,000 a year, and engineers in general earn among the highest wages of any recent bachelors of science graduates.
Job outlook for industrial engineers is better than average through 2014 because of the need for increasingly efficient industrial manufacturing processes. Many firms seeking to increase their profits and processing efficiency will be turning to industrial engineers to accomplish these objectives. Along with the increased need for industrial engineers, the effect of engineers leaving the field for management positions will also open many jobs for fresh graduates.
